While lockdowns have been instrumental in curbing the spread of the coronavirus, they have afforded most families rare and “unusual” opportunities to spend more time together.

Ordinarily, this would be expected to allow families to bond.

However, this does not seem to be the case in this instance.

Between June 2020 and May this year, at least 2 140 divorce applications were made, according to statistics provided by the Registrar of the High Court Mr Donald Ndirowei.

This represents an increase of 688 from the 1 522 divorce applications filed in the comparative period between 2018 and 2019.

Of the total applications received in 2020 and the first half this year, 454 cases were granted while 1 686 are still pending.

“In 2019, a total of 1 132 divorce applications were granted, but take note that some of these cases may have been filed prior to 2019. Reasons for the divorce cases vary, but what is most worrying is the upward trend,” said Mr Ndirowei.

The statistics could just be a tip of the iceberg, as they do not include unregistered customary marriages that can be terminated without recourse to the courts.

The High Court deals with cases of couples married under Marriages Act Chapter 5:11.

Some of them are referred from the lower courts.

“The highest number of the divorce cases are a result of infidelity, while some are due to domestic violence and poverty. Domestic violence cases and poverty are believed to have been fuelled by the Covid-19-induced lockdowns,” said Kadhau Law Chambers lawyer Meluleki Lunga, who has been handling some of the cases.

“Divorce applications are now common and I think they have reached a high since I started practicing. Some of the marriages are not even going beyond a year. Couples often cite irreconcilable differences as the reason for their divorce, but a closer look will reveal infidelity to be the major reason in eight out of 10 cases.”

Despite spirited exhortations from political, religious, traditional and community leaders for couples to jealously guard their marriages, the trend still continues.

After five years of marriage, Theresa from Kadoma and her husband filed for divorce at the beginning of this year.

They neither had squabbles nor even considered separating before the pandemic. Their union, however, became strained when the husband began working from home.

“The more time I spent with him, the more I noticed our differences. It was becoming difficult for us to live under one roof as husband and wife. I never knew that he was abusive until recently,” said the mother of two.

Sharai Chivasa finds herself in a similar predicament as she recently divorced her husband of 12 years.

The couple started having problems after their stalls were demolished by the local authority during the first lockdown in March last year.

On several occasions, she was physically and verbally abused by her husband while her children watched.

She finally decided to call time on the marriage.

“The situation turned nasty midway into the first lockdown. We struggled to make ends meet and my husband became an alcoholic, arguing he was dealing with stress. He would abuse me and it got worse. I was then left with no choice, but to file for divorce. I had to make sure my children and I were safe,” she recounts.

Such experiences are becoming increasingly common.

But, what exactly is causing the spike in divorce cases?

Sociologist and author Dr Vengesai Chimininge argues that our social fabric is under threat from foreign influences.

“Divorce used to be taboo back in the day. Society was convinced that it was a curse to divorce. Dirty linen was never washed in public, so this meant that all problems would be resolved within the family and life went on, often times without the children getting to know what was happening between the parents. Sadly, the new cultures have redefined societal expectations and the young generation now finds it easy to give up on their marriages,” he said.

However, psychologist Blessed Chinyangare believes that most people are frustrated that they can no longer take care of their families.

“Homes used to be a haven for many. During the weekend they would go out and unwind, but Covid-19 came and changed everything. It left most couples vulnerable. Poverty triggers all sorts of crises in families.”

“ . . . they should make use of marriage counsellors each time they have challenges.”

House of Refuge International Ministries Apostle Partson Machengete says couples should follow the religious manual for marriages to “stand the test of time” – Sunday Mail

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