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'Seek mediation before filing for divorce,' says Mugabe

by Staff reporter
08 Dec 2013 at 03:27hrs | Views
President Mugabe has called on society to observe the sanctity of marriage and reject the negative influence of friends and relatives who are bent on tearing their unions apart.

Mugabe made the call when he graced the wedding of the daughter of outgoing Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor Dr Gideon Gono, Praise Emily, to Tshalahika Malaba in Harare yesterday. Tshalahika is son to former Chamber of Mines chief executive officer Mr Joseph Malaba.

In his keynote address, President Mugabe once again castigated the proliferation of "small houses", which, he said, are contributing to the country's continuously rising divorce cases.

"We hear of small houses. Sometimes I tease my ministers saying, 'Some of you have small houses.'

"If only we knew, those small houses perhaps we would go and destroy them. That should not be allowed.

"What do you want a small house for? What happened to your big house? You are married to one person and one person alone and if you had wanted you would not enter this type of union but have tried a traditional wedding," said President Mugabe.

Mugabe called on couples to seek mediation before deciding to file for divorce.

"It is our concern that the youngsters of today, you do not consult with your leaders widely. Talk to the elders so that they give you an address before you do anything.

"Beware of outside forces. There are wolves who would want to tear you apart . . . they are not to be befriended and they are there not to befriend you but they are wolves in sheep's clothing."

Turning to the newlyweds, President Mugabe urged them to be independent as they have shown maturity by deciding to start a home. He urged the couple to emulate Dr Gono in terms of self sustenance highlighting that the outgoing RBZ governor has religiously followed a pledge to give him cattle that corresponds with his age every 21st of February. This year Dr Gono gave President Mugabe 89 cattle to mark his birthday and pledged to give him 90 more next year.

Dr Gono, who blessed the couple with a house in Borrowdale Brooke, spoke of how his daughter was brought up while Mr Malaba said he always knew that the pair would end up on the altar as they had been friends for over a decade.

Meanwhile, the First Family gave the couple a dining room suite, a dinning set and $6 000 while Bona Mugabe and her siblings gave a gift of $4 000.

The wedding was also attended by Zanu-PF national chairman Simon Khaya Moyo; Zanu-PF secretary for administration Didymus Mutasa and captains of industry.

Source - sundaymail