Adultery accused woman says it’s not criminal; challenges law at Constitutional Court
By Mary Taruvinga
A HARARE lady who is remaining sued for US$50,000 more than alleged adultery is searching for to dismiss the claim, arguing it is no extended a portion of the regulations of Zimbabwe.
Ratidzo Nyamuchengwa, who is becoming sued by her previous mate, Wonderful Marufu, has due to the fact been granted the relief to tactic the upper court by Higher Court judge, Justice Emilia Muchawa.
In in search of referral of her scenario to the Constitutional court, Nyamuchengwa raised a particular plea in which she argued that the claim for adultery is no extended a section of the legal guidelines of Zimbabwe as it is inconsistent with Chapter 4 of the Structure of Zimbabwe.
The Constitutional Court is anticipated to hand down a landmark ruling following hearing her arguments.
Nyamuchengwa needs the courtroom to demonstrate regardless of whether the widespread law of adultery is regular with subs (1) Part 56 of the Structure in so significantly as it will allow her to be sued although concurrently precluding the complainant from suing her former partner for the very same acts.
She also claimed the claim is unconstitutional as it exposes her to the prospect of staying questioned on and testifying on intimate and private details of her private, sexual relations.
In addition, she complained that it phone calls for scrutiny of and publicity of her alleged sexual liaisons or other relations with Marufu’s previous husband.
Yet another query is no matter whether the frequent regulation delict of adultery is steady with subs (1) of Portion 58 of the Structure in so far as it restricts her suitable to freely affiliate with any consenting grownup individual she chooses.
The Constitutional Court is also predicted to establish whether or not the popular regulation delict of adultery serves any rational and justifiable function or item protectable less than the Constitution.
The judge referred the matter to the Constitutional Courtroom in terms of Section 175 (4) Structure for a determination of troubles she lifted.
“To that end, the Constitutional Court shall decide no matter if the widespread legislation delict of adultery sued upon by plaintiff is steady with subs (1) of Section 56 of the Constitution in so much as it allows the plaintiff to sue the defendant although simultaneously precluding her from suing her former husband for the identical acts upon which she sues the defendant,” the choose claimed.
“Whether the common legislation delict of adultery, as sued upon by the plaintiff, serves any rational and justifiable reason or object protectable underneath the Structure 2013.”
The guy at the centre of the controversy is Albert Mhondoro, who allegedly applied his wife’s financial savings to marry Nyamuchengwa.
There was drama on the day he paid lobola for his new spouse, following Marufu stormed the proceedings, demanding her money and man back again.
Mhondoro has considering the fact that dumped his family and is now residing with Nyamuchengwa.
Mhondoro and Nyamuchengwa function at Nuanee Zimbabwe, which is into cosmetics.
According to court docket papers, Marufu and Mhondoro wedded on March 19, 2018 and celebrations were being held on April 7, 2018.
Nyamuchengwa attended the marriage and bought presents for the pair.
Marufu reported Nyamuchengwa enticed her spouse and took him absent.
It has emerged that Nyamuchengwa ditched her husband, Terrence Mawire, for Mhondoro.