The new Marriage Bill which consolidates marriage laws has been described as progressive by analysts.
Speaking to the Daily News yesterday, Harare lawyer Obert Gutu said:
The idea of consolidating the marriage laws into one Act is actually progressive because it makes it easier for people to understand and appreciate the different marriage regimes in Zimbabwe by simply perusing one Act rather going through different Acts of Parliament relating to the institution of marriage.
Solemnisation of marriages is a somewhat technical matter that certainly requires some basic formal legal and or religious training.
It should be specifically provided what level of traditional leaders would be deemed competent to solemnise marriages in terms of the new Act.
He added that traditional and Vapostori religious leaders need to be trained to enable them to have a basic understanding of the marriage laws of the country.
Chester Samba, Gays and Lesbians Association of Zimbabwe (Galz) president said the bill is informed by the ZANU-PF constitution on Homosexuality. He said that they have never advocated for same-sex marriages, but, to become equal citizens in our country.
Lawyer and politician Job Sikhala said the bill was progressive as it now gives security to women when they enter into marriage. He noted that spouses used to use everything to relatives of the husband when he passes on. This he said because customary marriage was not recognised under the law.