ment, applause fizzling out as people turned to each to hug and celebrate their victory at finally being given the legal right to marry. The court ruled that section 30 (1) of the Marriage Act was unconstitutional because the wording allowed only for marriages between men and women. However, marriage officers are permitted to refuse to marry a same-sex couple if it went against their conscience. Political observers have surmised that the move could put further strain on the relationship between the country and neighbouring Zimbabwe, where President Mugabe frequently fulminates against UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and his parliament of “gay gangsters”. “Does this mean that Mbeki now becomes a gay gangster too?” asked one observer. “And if not, why not?”
Post published in: Uncategorized
9.12.2005
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Mbeki a ‘gay gangster’?
JOHANNESBURG - The South African government has signalled its intention to abide by a ruling by the Constitutional Court that same-sex marriages be allowed. The court gave parliament 12 months to effect the necessary changes to the Marriage Act. The court was quiet as Judge Albie Sachs read the judg