South Africa’s New Marriage Bill Sparks Calls For Tighter Regulation Of Marriages Between SA Citizens And Foreign Nationals

South Africa’s Marriage Bill Triggers Calls For Tighter Foreign Marriage Rules

South Africa’s proposed Marriage Bill has ignited intense debate, with residents in Limpopo calling for tougher controls on marriages between South African citizens and foreign nationals. The calls came during public hearings in Lenyenye, where community members warned that loopholes in the current system are being exploited, leading to what they described as widespread fraudulent marriages.

The concerns were raised on Tuesday, 3 February 2026, as Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs continued its public participation process on the draft legislation.

Residents Raise Alarm Over ‘Fraudulent Marriages’

Speaking at the Lenyenye Community Hall, residents urged lawmakers to introduce stricter verification rules and clear timelines before marriages involving foreign nationals are approved.

They argued that proper checks would give the Department of Home Affairs enough time to verify apostilled letters confirming that foreign nationals are not already married in their countries of origin.

“There must be proper timeframes. You cannot just accept documents and move on,” one participant told the committee.

“Verification must be thorough, especially when foreign nationals are involved.”

Residents said many South African women are being drawn into marriages under economic pressure, without fully understanding the legal consequences.

“Poverty pushes our sisters into situations they do not fully understand,” another participant said.

“Later, they find themselves trapped in marriages that were never genuine.”

Traditional Leaders And Dual Marriages

Participants broadly welcomed the Bill’s proposal to designate traditional leaders as marriage officers, particularly in rural areas where customary law plays a central role.

However, they stressed that stronger coordination between traditional authorities and Home Affairs is essential to prevent the same marriage from being registered under multiple legal regimes.

“If there is no coordination, you end up with double marriages,” a resident warned.

“That creates disputes that tear families apart.”

There was also support for the Bill’s aim to place customary marriages on the same legal footing as civil marriages.

Age, Polygamy And Same-Sex Unions Debated

Strong views were expressed on the proposed minimum age of marriage. While residents supported raising the age to 18, many argued it was still too young.

“Children must finish school first,” one speaker said.

“Marriage can wait.”

Polygamous marriages received cautious support, provided men could prove financial capacity. Polyandry, however, was widely rejected. Committee chairperson Mosa Chabane clarified that polyandry is not included in the final Bill.

“That clause is not in the Bill before Parliament,” Chabane said.

Same-sex marriages divided opinion sharply. Some participants said such unions conflicted with their religious and cultural beliefs, while others reminded the meeting that same-sex marriage is constitutionally protected.

Hearings Continue Across Limpopo

The committee confirmed that public hearings would continue in Thohoyandou on 3 February 2026 and Groblersdal on 5 February 2026.

“Public hearings are not a tick-box exercise,” Chabane said.

“They are a vital platform to ensure that the voices of ordinary South Africans are heard and reflected in the laws passed by Parliament.”

Online, reactions were equally strong. On X, one user wrote: