High Court Opens Door to Sharing Pre-Marriage Assets in Divorce

The High Court of Zimbabwe has ruled that assets acquired before marriage can be divided in divorce, but a spouse must prove a credible contribution, NewZimbabwe.com reported. The decision, delivered by Justice Evangrlista Kabasa in the case of Wickens Chirenje and Mordeline Media, reaffirms that non-monetary contributions may be considered. The ruling introduces a significant evidentiary hurdle, requiring spouses to provide supporting evidence of their contribution to pre-marriage assets. This could spark contentious legal battles over what constitutes sufficient proof, particularly for unpaid domestic labor and indirect support. The core vulnerability: the requirement may disproportionately affect women, who often contribute unpaid domestic work, leaving them unable to meet the court’s evidentiary standard. Legal experts warn that the ruling could deepen gender inequalities in divorce settlements.