Ramaphosa Signs Civil Union Amendment Bill Into Law

STAFF REPORTER

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has passed the Civil Union Amendment Bill which seeks to protect the rights of same-sex marriage.

Ramaphosa officially passed the bill on Friday.

This news comes as a welcome celebration for same-sex couples who have previously experienced difficulties with officially getting married before the state.

The Civil Union Amendment Bill repeals the former Bill of Civil Union Bill Act 17 of 2006 which legalised same-sex marriage. Originally, officiating officers had the right to refuse marrying same-sex couples on the grounds of conscience, religion, and belief.

This clause reportedly prevented South African LGBT couples from getting married as many Home Affairs marriage officers would then exempt themselves from marrying LGBT couples.

This follows a 2018 Constitutional Court judgement which dealt with a  couple who were married under the Transkei Marriage Act.

According to the marriage certificate the parties were married “without an antenuptial contract”.