30 November 2006
Acting President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka has signed into law the Civil Union
Act, 2006. The Act seeks to regulate the solemnisation and registration of
civil unions by way of either marriage or a civil partnership and to provide
for the legal consequences of the solemnisation and registration of civil
union.
The Act is in line with the Constitutional Court judgment in the case of
Lesbian and Gay Equality Project and Eighteen Others v Minister of Home Affairs
and Others which found that the common law definition of marriage in the
Marriage Act, 1961, is inconsistent with the Constitution of the Republic of
South Africa and is invalid to the extent that it does not permit same-sex
couples to enjoy the status, benefits and responsibilities it accords to
heterosexual couples.
The Act will come into operation on 30 November 2006.
Enquiries:
Thabang Chiloane
Cell: 082 888 8783
Issued by: The Presidency
30 November 2006
Source: SAPA
