The law that deals with how to split up property when a couple gets divorced in Zimbabwe is called Section 7 of the Matrimonial Causes Act [Chapter 5:13]. This law also applies when a civil partnership ends, according to Section 41 of the Marriages Act [Chapter 5:17].
A civil partnership is when a man and woman live together like they're married but aren't legally married. They have to meet certain rules, like being over 18 and not being related. The court looks at things like how long they've been together and if they share money to decide if it's a real civil partnership.
When a marriage breaks down in Zimbabwe and can't be fixed, the court doesn't blame one person more than the other. It doesn't matter whose fault it is when deciding how to divide up the couple's belongings and property.
The husband and wife have to be honest with the court and tell them about everything they own. This includes things they got before they were married, while they were married, and even after they separated. A case called Beckford v Beckford 2009 (1) ZLR 271 (S) discusses this.
A civil partnership is when a man and woman live together like they're married but aren't legally married. They have to meet certain rules, like being over 18 and not being related. The court looks at things like how long they've been together and if they share money to decide if it's a real civil partnership.
When a marriage breaks down in Zimbabwe and can't be fixed, the court doesn't blame one person more than the other. It doesn't matter whose fault it is when deciding how to divide up the couple's belongings and property.
The husband and wife have to be honest with the court and tell them about everything they own. This includes things they got before they were married, while they were married, and even after they separated. A case called Beckford v Beckford 2009 (1) ZLR 271 (S) discusses this.
