IS GOV READY FOR GAY MARRIAGE?

Questions are being asked about the preparedness of government structures for the imminent legalising of same-sex marriages in South Africa.

Last year the Constitutional Court ruled that barring same-sex couples from marrying is unconstitutional, and gave parliament until the beginning of December this year to change the relevant laws.

While these changes to lesgislation are expected to be in place in time, there are doubts about whether administrative structures and government departments will be ready for same-sex marriages.

According to News24, the department of home affairs’ computer systems – throughout the country – are not currently able to register same-sex couples for marriage.

Questions have also been asked about the department’s apparent lack of training of staff in dealing with the issue when the time comes for them to register gay and lesbian partners.

A spokesperson for the department of home affairs told News24 that people should not panic, insisting that the department will be ready for the December deadline.