Chuma Himonga’s scholarship on the Recognition of Customary Marriages Act 120 of 1998

by | Oct 14, 2023 | ACTA, ACTA 2023

Chuma Himonga’s scholarship on the Recognition of Customary Marriages Act 120 of 1998

Author Lea Mwambene

ISSN: 1996-2088
Affiliations: Dip Nursing, LLB (Hons) (UNIMA), LLM LLD (UWC); Professor, University of the Western Cape, South Africa
Source: Acta Juridica, 2023, p. 1 – 18
https://doi.org/10.47348/ACTA/2023/a1

Abstract

This article is an appreciation of the influence of Chuma Himonga’s work on my research and that of many other academic writers. It begins with a discussion of Himonga’s contribution to a greater understanding of the importance of taking into account the lived realities of the communities to which reformed laws apply. Thereafter, the article takes stock of the practical implementation of the Recognition of Customary Marriages Act 120 of 1998 in addressing the conflicts between customary laws and women’s rights in a customary marriage context. The article considers Himonga’s contribution to the greater understanding of this reality by analysing the courts’ jurisprudence. The final section of this paper suggests that Himonga’s thesis, in which she cautions against the danger of reducing reformed laws into ‘paper law’, has a universal appeal. In particular, I argue that her thesis provides useful insights into the best practical approaches to resolving conflicts between customary rules and practices and human rights. Afrikaans: Hierdie artikel is ’n evaluering van die invloed van Chuma Himonga se werk op my navorsing en dié van talle ander akademiese skrywers. Dit begin met ’n bespreking van Himonga se bydrae tot ’n groter begrip van die belangrikheid daarvan om die geleefde realiteite in ag te neem van die gemeenskappe waarop hervormde wette van toepassing is. Daarna evalueer die artikel die praktiese implementering van die Wet op Erkenning van Gebruiklike Huwelike 120 van 1998 om die konflik tussen gewoontereg en vroue se regte in die konteks van gebruiklike huwelike te hanteer. Die artikel kyk na Himonga se bydrae tot die groter begrip van hierdie realiteit deur die howe se regspleging te ontleed. Die finale gedeelte van hierdie dokument stel voor dat Himonga se tesis, waarin sy waarsku teen die gevaar om hervormde wette as ‘papierwette’ te aanvaar, ’n universele aantrekkingskrag het. Ek redeneer in die besonder dat haar tesis nuttige insig verskaf in die beste praktiese benaderings om konflik tussen gewoonteregreëls en praktyke en menseregte op te los.

Transforming litigation in customary marriage disputes: Ubuntu and the responsibility of legal practitioners

by | Oct 14, 2023 | ACTA, ACTA 2023

Transforming litigation in customary marriage disputes: Ubuntu and the responsibility of legal practitioners

Author Helen Kruuse

ISSN: 1996-2088
Affiliations: BA LLB LLM PGDHE PhD (Rhodes); Associate Professor, Rhodes University
Source: Acta Juridica, 2023, p. 19 – 45
https://doi.org/10.47348/ACTA/2023/a2

Abstract

This contribution recognises different areas of Himonga’s scholarship, particularly her work on the recognition of customary marriages, ubuntu and dispute resolution. In bringing this work together, I suggest that her research on ubuntu – translated into the context of litigation – might provide insights on customary marriage recognition in ways that have not yet been properly explored. This insight is that the way in which legal practitioners have displayed ubuntu (or not) in litigating customary marriage disputes materially affects the ability of the courts to recognise living customary law. Having considered case law, the contribution suggests then that ubuntu should be used, not only as an interpretative tool, but also as a legal principle in guiding the procedure in which disputes are settled. isiXhosa: Eli galelo liqonda imimandla eyahlukeneyo kwinkxasomali yokufunda kaHimonga, ingakumbi umsebenzi wakhe ekuqondweni kwemitshato yesintu, ubuntu kunye nokusonjululwa kweembambano. Ukuhlanganisa lo msebenzi, ndicebisa ukuba uphando lwakhe ku-ubuntu – oluguqulelwe ngomxholo womangalelwano – lungabonakalisa imibono ekuqondweni komtshato wesintu ngeendlela ezingekaphicothwa ngokwaneleyo. Lo mbono kukuba indlela amagosa ezomthetho abonakalisa ngayo ubuntu (okanye akunjalo) ekufakeni isimangalo ngeembambano zomtshato wesintu ngokubonakalayo kuchaphazela isakhono seenkundla ekuqondeni umthetho wesintu okhoyo ekuphileni. Xa kuthathelwa ingqalelo umthetho osekelwe kwimithetho yangaphambili, ngokuphathelele kwigalelo kucetyiswa ukuba kusetyenziswe ubuntu, hayi nje kuphela njengesixhobo sokutolika, kodwa kwakhona njengomgaqo ekukhokeleni inkqubo ekusonjululwa ngayo iimbambano.

The active role of South Africa’s Constitutional Court in advancing women’s rights and proprietary interests in the customary law of marriage

by | Oct 14, 2023 | ACTA, ACTA 2023

The active role of South Africa’s Constitutional Court in advancing women’s rights and proprietary interests in the customary law of marriage

Author Ebrezia Johnson

ISSN: 1996-2088
Affiliations: LLB, LLM (SU), Lecturer in the Department of Private Law, Stellenbosch University
Source: Acta Juridica, 2023, p. 46 – 76
https://doi.org/10.47348/ACTA/2023/a3

Abstract

This contribution investigates the role of the Constitutional Court in advancing and promoting women’s rights and proprietary interests in the customary law of marriage. This entails a critical discussion of a number of seminal cases decided by the court in the last couple of years, presented in chronological order. These cases are Gumede v President of the Republic of South Africa, Ramuhovhi v President of the Republic of South Africa and Sithole v Sithole. All these cases have shifted the traditional customary law proprietary rights and interests of women in monogamous and polygamous customary marriages. In Gumede the Constitutional Court did not make a decision on s 7(1) of the Recognition of Customary Marriages Act 120 of 1998 and its application in the context of polygamous customary marriages, preferring to refer the issue to the legislature. Therefore, this contribution also briefly considers the notion of judicial deference. The Recognition of Customary Marriages Amendment Act is also briefly considered as it was intended to give practical effect to the court’s decisions in Gumede and Ramuhovhi; however, the Amendment Act still fails to provide much-needed practical guidelines. Xitsonga: Vuhoxaxandla lebyi byi lavisisa xiave xa Khoto ya Vumbiwa eka ku antswisa na ku kondletela timfanelo ta vavasati na mitsakelo ya vun’wini bya nhundzu eka nawu wa xintu wa vukati. Leswi swi khumba nkanelo wa vukhensivusoli wa milandzu leyi nga na nhlohlotelo yo tala leyi bohiweke hi khoto eka malembe mangarimangani lama nga hundza, leyi andlariweke hi ku landzelelana. Milandzu leyi i Gumede loko a tengisana na Phuresidente wa Rhiphabuliki ya Afrika-Dzonga, Ramuhovhi loko a tengisana na Phuresidente wa Rhiphabuliki ya Afrika-Dzonga na Sithole loko a tengisana Sithole. Milandzu leyi hinkwayo yi cincile timfanelo na mitsakelo swa vun’wini bya nhundzu bya nawu wa xintu xa ndhavuko swa vavasati eka vukati bya xintu bya nuna un’we na nsati un’we na vukati bya tshengwe. Eka Gumede Khoto ya Vumbiwa a yi tekangi xiboho hi mayelana na xiyenge xa 7(1) xa Nawu wa ku Tekeriwa Enhlokweni ka Vukati bya Xintu wa 120 wa 1998 na matirhiselo ya wona eka mbangu wa vukati bya xintu bya tshengwe, yi hlawule ku kongomisa mhaka leyi eka huvo yo endla milawu. Hikokwalaho, vuhoxaxandla lebyi byi tlhela byi tekela enhlokweni mhaka ya ku tshikela rhavi rin’wana leri nga enawini matimba ya vuavanyisi. Nawu wa Hundzuluxo wa ku Tekeriwa Enhlokweni ka Vukati bya Xintu wu tlhela wu langutisisa hi ku komisa tanihileswi wu endleriweke ku humelerisa hi ndlela yo endla swiboho swa khoto eka Gumede na Ramuhovhi; hambiswiritano, Nawu wa Hundzuluxo wa ha hluleka ku nyika swiletelo swo endla leswi dingiwaka swinene.

Highlighting the higher courts’ obligation to protect vulnerable groups when magistrates fail to conduct the competency test properly

by | Oct 14, 2023 | ACTA, ACTA 2023

Highlighting the higher courts’ obligation to protect vulnerable groups when magistrates fail to conduct the competency test properly

Author Nondumiso Phenyane

ISSN: 1996-2088
Affiliations: B Soc Sci LLB LLM (UCT), Lecturer, Department of Public Law, Stellenbosch University
Source: Acta Juridica, 2023, p. 77 – 98
https://doi.org/10.47348/ACTA/2023/a4

Abstract

This article uses a series of judgments to highlight that the review or appeal courts’ strict and formalistic application of the competency test and s 164(1) of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977 has been as detrimental to the rights and interests of vulnerable complainants as the contested rules themselves. The article examines matters where review or appeal courts set aside rape convictions because magistrates failed to conduct the competency test properly. It argues that, while the courts could not avoid setting aside the wrongful convictions, this should not have led to a compromise of vulnerable complainants’ right to protection. In addition to setting the convictions aside, the higher courts should have adopted an approach that helped to mitigate the risks faced by the complainants. Therefore, the article suggests that higher courts which are called upon to decide such matters should use the following approach in the future. First, they should use the results of the competency test as an item of evidence and should evaluate the reliability of the complainants’ evidence only at the end of the trial. Where a matter goes on review or appeal because a magistrate failed to conduct the competency test entirely or adequately, the higher courts should evaluate the complainant’s testimony before deciding whether to exclude it. In instances where there is a possibility that the complainant’s testimony is reliable, the higher courts should remit the matter to the magistrate to address the procedural error. However, in instances where the complainant’s evidence is unreliable, and remittal is not possible, the courts should set the conviction aside and assign a social worker to oversee the complainant’s protection after the release of the accused. Setswana: Athikele eno e dirisa metseletsele ya dikatlholo go bontsha gore dikgotlatshekelo tse di tlhatlhobang kgotsa tsa boikuelo di dirisa teko ya bokgoni ka tsela e e gagametseng le s 164(1) ya Molao wa Tsamaiso ya Bosenyi wa bo51 wa 1977 o nnile kotsi go ditshwanelo le dikgatlhego tsa bangongoregi ba ba sa sireletsegang fela jaaka melawana e e ganetsanang ka boyona. Athikele eno e tlhatlhoba dintlha tseo mo go tsona dikgotlatshekelo tse di tlhatlhobang kgotsa tsa boikuelo di beelang kwa thoko dikatlholo tsa petelelo ka ntlha ya gore magiseterata o reteletswe ke go dira teko ya bokgoni ka tsela e e nepagetseng. E bolela gore, le fa dikgotlatshekelo di ka se kgone go tila go beela kwa thoko dikatlholo tse di fosagetseng, seno se ne se sa tshwanela go lebisa go tshwaelo ya tshwanelo ya tshireletso ya bangongoregi ba ba sa sireletsegang. Mo godimo ga go beela kwa thoko dikatlholo, dikgotlatshekelo tse di kwa godimo di ne di tshwanetse go dirisa mokgwa o o thusitseng go fokotsa dikotsi tse bangongoregi ba neng ba lebane natso. Ka jalo, athikele eno e tshwaela gore dikgotlatshekelo tse di kwa godimo tseo di tshwanetseng go atlhola merero e e jalo di tshwanetse go dirisa mokgwa o o latelang mo isagweng. Sa ntlha, di tshwanetse go dirisa dipholo tsa teko ya bokgoni jaaka bopaki e bile di tshwanetse go sekaseka boikanyego jwa bopaki jwa bangongoregi fela kwa bokhutlong jwa tsheko. Fao morero o sekasekiwang gape kgotsa o ikuelwa ka gonne magiseterata a reteletswe ke go dira teko ya bokgoni ka botlalo kgotsa ka tsela e e tshwanetseng, dikgotlatshekelo tse di kwa godimo di tshwanetse go sekaseka bopaki jwa mongongoregi pele di swetsa gore di tla bo gana. Mo makgetlong a go nang le kgonagalo ya gore bopaki jwa mongongoregi bo a ikanyega, dikgotlatshekelo tse di kwa godimo di tshwanetse go busetsa morero go magiseterata go bo rarabolola. Le fa go le jalo, mo makgetlong a mo go ona bopaki jwa mongongoregi bo sa ikanyegeng, mme go ka se kgonege gore a busediwe kgolegelong, dikgotlatshekelo di tshwanetse go beela thoko katlholo le go neela modirediloago tiro ya go okamela tshireletso ya mongongoregi morago ga go gololwa ga molatofadiwa.

Cultural vulnerability and judicial recognition of heterosexual life-partnerships in South Africa

by | Oct 14, 2023 | ACTA, ACTA 2023

Cultural vulnerability and judicial recognition of heterosexual life-partnerships in South Africa

Author Christa Rautenbach

ISSN: 1996-2088
Affiliations: BIuris LLB LLM LLD; Professor, Faculty of Law, North-West University (Potchefstroom Campus)
Source: Acta Juridica, 2023, p. 99 – 126
https://doi.org/10.47348/ACTA/2023/a5

Abstract

This article examines the potential role of cultural vulnerability in matters where heterosexual life partners claim the same spousal benefits under the Maintenance of Surviving Spouses Act 27 of 1990 and the Intestate Succession Act 81 of 1987. The discussion focuses on the differences and commonalities between two judgments, Volks v Robinson 2005 (5) BCLR 446 (CC) and Bwanya v The Master 2021 (1) SA 138 (WCC). By comparing the two cases, I speculate that the outcome differs considerably because of the cultural vulnerability of one of the partners in the latter judgment. The inescapable fact is that women, particularly black women, are most vulnerable to the adverse effects of the [non]-recognition of domestic partnerships.1 Sepedi: Sengwalwa se se lekola kgonagalo ya gore khuetšo ya setšo e ka ba e ama dikahlolo, fao molekani yo mongwe magareng ga balekani ba go fapana ka bong bao ba dutšego mmogo nako ye telele ba se ba nyalana, a dirago kleimi ya setlwaedi ya dikholego tša molekane wa mohu ka tlase ga Molao wa Tlhokomelo ya Balekani bao ba Phologilego wa 27 wa 1990 le Molao wa Kabelo ya Bajalefa Dithoto ge Mohu a se a Ngwala Wili wa 81 wa 1987. Poledišano ye e šeditše diphapano le ditshwano magareng ga dikahlolo tše tše pedi, ya Volks v Robinson 2005 (5) BCLR 446 (CC) le ya Bwanya v The Master 2021 (1) SA 138 (WCC). Ge ke bapetša melato ye ye mebedi, ke naganela gore dipoelo di fapana ka lebaka la khuetšo yeo setšo se bilego le yona, yeo e gateletšego yo mongwe magareng ga balekani kahlolong ya molato wa bobedi. Nnete yeo re ka se e tšhabelego ke gore basadi, kudukudu basadi ba baso, bontši bja bona ba kotsing ya ditlamorago tša go se kgahliše tša go hlolwa ke go se lemogwe ga dikamano tša balekani ba go dula mmogo nako ye telele ba se ba nyalana.

What are the implications of Bwanya v The Master of the High Court for customary law?

by | Oct 14, 2023 | ACTA, ACTA 2023

What are the implications of Bwanya v The Master of the High Court for customary law?

Author Julia Sloth-Nielsen

ISSN: 1996-2088
Affiliations: BA LLB LLM LLD, Emeritus professor, University of the Western Cape and Professor, University of Huddersfield
Source: Acta Juridica, 2023, p. 127 – 151
https://doi.org/10.47348/ACTA/2023/a6

Abstract

This contribution examines the implications of Bwanya v The Master of the High Court for customary unions in South Africa. Bwanya ruled that the Intestate Succession Act and the Maintenance of Surviving Spouses Act were unconstitutional to the extent that they failed to include heterosexual life partners as beneficiaries falling within their remit, which violated their right to equality and to dignity. The extent to which life partners’ positions may henceforth be ameliorated by legislative reform is first examined against the backdrop of the Domestic Partnerships Bill of 2008, which did not muster support in Parliament. Thereafter, the article discusses what implications the recognition of life partnerships may hold for customary law unions. It is tentatively concluded that it may be that whilst customary unions may continue as a social practice, it may be questioned whether in future there is legal space for them to persist in their current form. Sesotho: Atekele ena e hlahloba ditlamorao tsa Bwanya v The Master of the High Court bakeng sa manyalo a setso Afrika Borwa. Bwanya o ile a diha kahlolo ka hore Intestate Succession Act le Maintenance of Surviving Spouse Act e ne e se molaong ho ya kamoo e ileng ya hloleha ho kenyeletsa balekane ba bong bo fapaneng ba phelang mmoho e le bajamafa ba welang boikarabelong ba bona, e leng se ileng sa hatakela tokelo ya bona ya tekano le seriti. Ho ya kamoo maemo a balekane ba phelang mmoho a ka matlafatswang ho ya pele ka ntjhafatso ya molao ho qala ho hlahlojwa ho itshetlehilwe ka Domestic Partnership Bill ya 2008, e ileng ya se fumane tshehetso ka Palamenteng. Kamora moo, atekele e ile ya tshohla hore ke ditlamorao dife tse ka bang teng tsa ho lemoha dilekane tsa ho phela mmoho bakeng sa manyalo a setso. Ho nkuwa qeto ka lesisitheho hore leha manyalo a setso a ka nna a tswela pele jwalo ka tlwaelo setjhabeng, ho ka nna ha ba le dipotso hore ebe nako e tlang ho na le sebaka sa ona molaong hore a nne a tswele pele ka tsela eo a ntseng a etsa nakong ya jwale.