New bill outlawing minors from getting married under public scrutiny in Mthatha
Several community members, however, believe that 18 is still too young for marriage, proposing the minimum age be raised to 21.
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CAPE TOWN - A bill that will completely outlaw minors from getting married and sets the legal age for all marriages at 18 was subjected to public scrutiny in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape on Monday.
The Home Affairs committee is looking at introducing a new, single marriage law that will include all types of unions, irrespective of religion, sexual orientation or cultural beliefs, doing away with the three separate laws that currently govern marriage.
Several community members, however, believe that 18 is still too young for marriage, proposing the minimum age be raised to 21.
Currently, parental permission is required for minors under the age of 18 to get married.
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Committee chairperson Mosa Chabane said it’s important to protect children from premature marriages.
"The bill further seeks to prohibit marriages involving children in line with South Africa’s obligation as it relates to international human rights instruments."
The community in Mthatha has expressed a similar view to those in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) who have appealed to parliament to raise the legal age for marriage.
They said at 18, most girls are still being cared for by their parents.
“I have this issue with 18 years. I do not support it.”
Participants, however, said they were pleased that both Muslim and customary marriages would get the necessary recognition under the new Marriages Bill.