Parliament, Wednesday, 4 February 2026 – Residents of the greater Vhembe District Municipality have expressed support for the proposed Marriage Bill, particularly the provision raising the minimum age of consent to 18, during a public participation session held in Thohoyandou in Limpopo.
The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs convened the second of its three public hearings at the George Phadagi Town Hall, where community members largely agreed that increasing the age of consent aligns with existing South African legislation and could help curb child marriages. Participants argued that 18 constitutes an appropriate age for marriage, citing emotional and psychological maturity as key factors.
While most submissions supported the Bill, several participants called for amendments to ensure broader acceptance. Marriage officers raised concerns that the Bill lacks clarity on protections for officials who refuse to solemnise marriages that conflict with their cultural or religious beliefs. They urged the committee and the Department of Home Affairs to explicitly outline such protections.
Concerns were also raised that the Bill adopts a Western-centric approach that could inadvertently erode African cultural practices. Some participants argued that designating traditional leaders as marriage officers should be accompanied by empowering them to dissolve marriages, particularly in cases where high legal costs limit access to the courts. Others warned that the proposed consolidation of marriage laws into a single statute risks diluting customary marriages by failing to adequately accommodate cultural differences.
Participants further called on the Department of Home Affairs to strengthen enforcement through its anti-corruption unit to combat fraudulent marriages. Concerns were raised that fraudulent marriages remain prevalent, and that stronger monitoring and internal controls are needed to address the issue.
The recognition of same-sex marriages drew strong opposition from some attendees, who argued that such unions are incompatible with their cultural beliefs and practices. However, opposing views noted that same-sex marriage is already recognised in law, and that the Bill merely consolidates existing legal provisions. Some participants also emphasised the need for the Bill to protect members of LGBTQIA+ community, especially with respect to their right to marry.
The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs is expected to conclude its provincial public hearings on the Marriage Bill in Sekhukhune District Municipality at the Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa in Tafelkop.
Meanwhile, the committee has resolved to visit the Department of Home Affairs offices in Polokwane and Lebowakgomo to assess service provision and the quality of the service delivery. Committee Chairperson Mr Mosa Chabane said the visits were aimed at taking advantage of the committee’s presence in the province to evaluate the standard of services received by members of the public at Home Affairs offices.
“Our visit is intended to ensure that the quality of services clients receive at the Department of Home Affairs offices is adequate,” Mr Chabane said.
Details of the visits
Date: Wednesday, 4 February 2026
Time: 10:00
Venue: Polokwane DHA offices
Details of the visit
Date: Wednesday, 4 February 2026
Time: 12:00
Venue: Lebowakgomo DHA offices
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HOME AFFAIRS, MR MOSA CHABANE.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Malatswa Molepo (Mr)
Parliamentary Communication Services
Tel: 021 403 8438
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E-mail: mmolepo@parliament.gov.za
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