contralesa slams same-sex marriages

Source: Sapa

February 19, 2006: The Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (Contralesa) has slammed the Constitutional Court and parliament for making same-sex marriages legal, the SABC reported on Sunday.

Contralesa president and a member of parliament, Patekile Holomisa said the Constitutional Court had misinterpreted the Constitution on the issue.

"We remain convinced that the Constitutional Court was wrong in saying the constitution directed that there be same sex marriages."

Holomisa was addressing media in Fourways, north of Johannesburg, after the end of the organisation's two-day National General Council meeting.

He vowed that his organisation would continue to inform their people and fellow traditional leaders that same sex marriages should not be supported.

The meeting deliberated on various issues related to the institution of traditional leadership and traditional communities including co-operation between Traditional Councils and elected Municipal Councils, and the role of traditional leaders in the fight against HIV/Aids.