Same-sex union bill change approved
DISCRIMINATING against same-sex couples who try to marry will now be a thing of the past, as the Civil Union Amendment Bill was passed in Parliament yesterday.
The issue was brought to light by Cope earlier this year, when it said section 6 of the bill was discriminatory.
The section allowed Department of Home Affairs marriage officers to be exempt from performing civil unions.
Officers could object to performing the union on the ground of conscience, religion and belief to solemnising a civil union between people of the same sex – and to be exempted from officiating at such marriages.
Of the 1 131 marriage officers at the Department of Home Affairs branches, 421 were exempt from performing civil unions.
The bill was adopted by the portfolio committee on home affairs, and a “B Bill” will be put forth, and thereafter a date will be set to debate the bill in the National Assembly.
Triangle Project health and support services manager Sharon Cox said this was a big win. It meant a lot for the LGBTI+ community, she said.
She said while many people chose not be to married, those who did deserved the right not to be discriminated against.
“This was not about the right to marry, but about the right to equality. If we look at section 6, what made it difficult was there are a few marriage officers available to marry people. In a research process that was undertaken it was shown that 29% of officers nationwide are able to marry people.”
Cox said that of this small number, many were exempt.
“Home Affairs officers prepared to marry (same sex) people are not evenly distributed. For instance, in rural areas like Witzenberg there is no one who will marry you. You have to travel over 100km to be wed. It’s a blatant prejudice.
“You will not have marriage officers denying people from different races or different religions or of different ages. You will never find officers denying people on those grounds. Their religious beliefs should not be shaping rules.”
LABOUR
AWARDED
TRIANGLE Project has dedicated its Service Excellence Award to every survivor, victim and those killed in violent crimes.
The awards, which recognise the contribution of NGOs that provide services to victims of crime, including trafficking in persons, were held on Monday at the Premier Hotel in Mpumalanga province.
The awards were the highlight of the two-day National Indaba on the Crime of Trafficking in Persons, which ended on Tuesday.
The Indaba was part of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children Campaign.
Triangle Project was bestowed the award for their work in advocating and offering services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex plus (LGBTI+) persons, their partners and families.
Triangle Project health and support services manager Sharon Cox said they appreciated the award, as the organisation had worked over many years under difficult circumstances, to provide holistic and quality services to LGBTI+ community.
“It is important for the organisation that victims are well prepared for court, that they are supported in court and are provided with emotional wellness services throughout the case and for as long as they need support.”
In February, Sigcine Mdani was sentenced at the Western Cape High Court to 15 years’ imprisonment for the murder of Swelindawo, then a 22-year-old.
Mdani had stamped on Swelindawo’s head and kicked her in the face several times on December 2, 2016. Two days later, he broke into her home, kidnapped and killed her.
Swelindawo’s body was found near a footbridge, on the N2 in Driftsands. Mdani was sentenced to three years for assault to inflict grievous bodily harm, five years for housebreaking and kidnapping, 15 years for murder and two years for possession of an unlicensed firearm and illegal ammunition.