14 May 2017

Increasing marriage disputes and wreckage cases are worrying the leadership of Gabane.
In an interview with BOPA recently, Kgosi Sello Pule expressed worry over the alarming rate of marriage disputes that come to his office.
He said as village leaders, dikgosi are faced with the responsibility to resolve any social ills including marriage disputes, irrespective of whether the marriage was solemnised at churches, by district commissioner or customary courts.
Kgosi Pule highlighted that Batswana no longer respect virtues of marriage, especially the younger couples.

The disputes, he said, mostly resulted in separation at the High Courts, something which customary leaders do not condone.
Commenting on the root cause, he explained that the problem was due to several reasons, the main one being the tendencies of young couples to fabricate parental representatives during marriage negotiations in order to avoid delays in traditional marriage processes.
“Marriage is very sensitive, this is why in customary marriages, the actual parents, uncles and aunts are always needed to witness the marriage process, as they will be held accountable even in the event of disputes,” he said.
As compared to other marriages, Kgosi Pule explained that the customary marriage does not allow marriages out of community of property.

Kgosi Pule also said such arrangements had fuelled conflict in families, especially when there are children from previous relationships.
He advised married couples to always consider putting aside property for the children, adding that in case of dispute, children suffer the most.

Moreover, Kgosi Pule said customary courts are against the interference of fathers who suddenly turn to claim to support their children after their mother is married to someone else, describing the move as a catalyst for disputes.
He advised that if there is a need to support the children, it should be done through elders, especially through engaging the uncles as middlemen.
Kgosi Pule therefore encouraged young couples to turn to God at all times as marriage is rooted in Christian values.
He also advised parents to refrain from interfering in their children’s marriage lives. ENDS