Plea to regulate lobola costs

BILL: CONCERNS THAT FIRST WIFE SHOULD BE CONSULTED IN POLYGAMOUS MARRIAGES

- Vhahangwele Nemakonde

Lobola costs need to be regulated, according to concerns raised during public hearings on the Marriage Bill in KwaZulu-Natal yesterday.

The public hearings are conducted in line with Section 59 of the constitution, which mandates that parliament include the public in its law-making process.

While citizens appreciated efforts for greater recognition of customary marriages and cultural practices associated with them, they also expressed concerns on a number of issues.

Lobola costs were among those raised.

Some citizens argued that the Marriage Bill should regulate the current trend of exorbitant lobola costs.

Currently, no custom regulates lobola prices as they are decided by the two families involved.