The Marriages Bill was passed by the National Assembly this Wednesday.
The legislation was initially passed by the National House of Assembly in 2020 but Senate objected to the clause on lobola.
Traditional leaders in Senate, led by the Chiefs Council president, Chief Fortune Charumbira, objected to a clause that said a couple’s Union can be solemnised if they satisfy other requirements and agree to forgo lobola.
The traditional leaders said lobola was a fundamental pillar in African traditions.
They shot down the bill and was sent back to the National House of Assembly for amendments.
There was debate on social media when the Bill passed the National House of Assembly in 2020 with some saying lobola should be scrapped totally.
Proponents of this reasoning argued that men were using lobola to abuse women in Marriages.
Conservatives objected saying lobola was a necessity for uniting families.
Others said while lobola was not a bad thing, families are now abusing it, taking their daughters as business commodities thereby defeating the essence of the process.
