A dramatic scene unfolded at the Bulawayo Civil Court last Friday when Mandlenkosi Mabhena’s secret wedding plans were abruptly halted by the unexpected arrival of his wife.
The incensed wife, identified only as T Ncube, disrupted the ceremony, raising her objections to Mabhena’s attempt to marry another woman.
Ncube asserted her marital rights, stating that she and Mabhena were customarily married since 2012, and thus, any attempt at remarriage required a formal divorce process.
She revealed that despite any apparent separation, they continued to cohabit, emphasizing the unresolved issues regarding their children’s paternity and property matters.
Mabhena countered Ncube’s claims, denying any formal separation and alleging differences in their marriage.
Maluleka Solani, Mabhena’s intended bride, expressed concern over the lack of a finalized divorce, indicating uncertainty over the legitimacy of their union.
The magistrate ruled in favor of Ncube, affirming that Mabhena remained customarily married to her and had not undergone a formal divorce process.
Emphasizing the importance of resolving marital disputes and property issues, the magistrate highlighted the gravity of marriage as an institution and the necessity for mutual engagement in dissolution proceedings.
