Mbombela residents support Marriage Bill to combat ‘ukuthwala’

RESIDENTS from Mbombela in Mpumalanga believe the Marriage Bill will end the marrying of cultural tradition of ukuthwala, also young girls are being forced into marrying older men.

- ROBIN-LEE FRANCKIE

The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs has conducted one of three public hearings of the Bill at the Mbombela Local Municipality Civic Centre, marking the end of the public hearings legs of the Bill in Mpumalanga.

According to participants, clauses contained in Chapter 7 of the Bill will provide the required deterrent against males inclined to continue the practice of ukuthwala, also known as the kid-napping. Also, some participants welcomed the extension of imprisonment to five years to anyone who marries someone without their consent.

“There are some concerns raised by marriage officers and prospective marriage officers that the Bill is not practical and does not address lived realities.