with a comprehensive and consolidated piece of legislation that addresses all matrimonial issues. 8.3 The Deeds Registries Act 107stipulates that married women have the right to acquire and register property in their own names; The Marriage Act108 provides that marriage in Zimbabwe is out of community of property, meaning that parties can legally own property individually but also can decide to jointly own property which is then dealt with as matrimonial property; 8.4 The Administration of Estates Act109 protects surviving spouses in the event of death. The Matrimonial Causes Act 110protects the rights of women and children upon divorce. Judicial Measures 8.5 The Constitutional Court of Zimbabwe, in a landmark ruling in the case of Mudzuru and Tsopodzo v Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs and Others111, proscribed child marriages and clarified that persons below the age of 18 cannot enter into a marriage recognised at law, neither could parents or guardians sanction such a union as was the case prior. 8.6 In another case, Margaret Dongo v The Registrar General112, the court ruled that Zimbabwean women are now in a position to 107 Chapter 20:05 108 Chapter 5:11 109 Chapter 6:01 110 Chapter 5:13 111 CC 2016 112 CITATION Page | 90