Divorce Cases Rise as Social Pressures Grow

21 January 2026

By Monalisa Ntibane

Divorce filings in Zimbabwe are on the rise, with experts linking the trend to changing social norms and growing economic pressures on families.

Speaking to SkyzMetro FM, lawyer Joyness Muresherwa said modern relationships are facing challenges very different from those experienced by previous generations. She noted that increased access to the internet has made infidelity easier, while traditional family and community support systems that once helped resolve marital disputes have steadily weakened.

“Modern relationships are facing challenges which are different from those experienced by previous generations. The internet has also made infidelity easier and weakened community support systems,” Mureshewa said.

Muresherwa added that many breakups are coming from marriages of convenience, where couples marry for practical reasons rather than long-term commitment.

“Many breakups are coming from marriages of convenience, where some couples marry for practical reasons rather than long- term commitment,” she said.

She also highlighted a growing number of divorces among long-married couples, a trend that was once strongly discouraged by society.

Figures from the Judicial Service Commission show that nearly four thousand divorce cases were filed between January and December 2025, a notable increase from the previous year.

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