Discussion | Legal standing of customary marriages vs. civil unions in SA

A court challenge brought by the first wife of the late AmaZulu King Goodwill Zwelithini has thrust the issue of customary vs civil marriages back into the spotlight. Queen Sibongile Dlamini Zulu is seeking an interdict to bar the appointment of a regent or a successor to the throne following the King's death in March 2021. She argues that her marriage to the King was a civil one, in community of property and therefore excludes subsequent marriages under customary law. Whilst not discussing the specific merits of that particular case, we have called on Customary Lecturer at the University of Venda, Zama Mopai to help us understand where the law stands on these issues For more news, visit sabcnews.com and also #SABCNews #Coronavirus #COVID19News on Social Media.