Family Law 171: Notes, 2018
Semester 2: Family Law
Table of Contents
UNIT 1: AN INTRODUCTION TO FAMILY LAW ............................................................................................................................ 2
1 THE INFLUENCE OF THE CONSTITUTION ON FAMILY LAW ........................................................................................................................... 2
2 THE HISTORY OF MATRIMONIAL LAW ..................................................................................................................................................... 3
3 THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF VALID MARRIAGES IN SOUTH AFRICA ................................................................................................................... 3
UNIT 2: THE ENGAGEMENT ....................................................................................................................................................... 6
1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................................................................. 6
2 DEFINITION & NATURE OF AN ENGAGEMENT .......................................................................................................................................... 7
3 VALIDITY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CONCLUSION OF AN ENGAGEMENT.......................................................................................................... 7
4 TERMINATION OF THE ENGAGEMENT ..................................................................................................................................................... 9
UNIT 3: THE LEGAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTERING INTO A MARRIAGE .................................................................................. 12
1 CAPACITY OF PARTIES TO ENTER INTO MARRIAGE ................................................................................................................................... 13
2 LAWFULNESS .................................................................................................................................................................................. 18
3 CONSENSUS ................................................................................................................................................................................... 21
4 PRESCRIBED FORMALITIES ................................................................................................................................................................. 23
UNIT 4: VOID, VOIDABLE AND PUTATIVE MARRIAGES ............................................................................................................ 24
1 VOID MARRIAGES ........................................................................................................................................................................... 25
2 VOIDABLE MARRIAGES ..................................................................................................................................................................... 26
3 PUTATIVE MARRIAGES ..................................................................................................................................................................... 28
UNIT 5: THE INVARIABLE CONSEQUENCES OF MARRIAGE ....................................................................................................... 30
1 GENERAL ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 30
2 STATUS OF THE SPOUSES................................................................................................................................................................... 30
3 CONSORTIUM OMNIS VITAE ............................................................................................................................................................... 31
4 RECIPROCAL DUTY OF SUPPORT .......................................................................................................................................................... 34
5 THE FAMILY NAME........................................................................................................................................................................... 36
6 THE MARITAL HOME ........................................................................................................................................................................ 36
7 GIFTS BETWEEN SPOUSES .................................................................................................................................................................. 36
UNIT 6: THE VARIABLE CONSEQUENCES OF MARRIAGE ........................................................................................................... 36
1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................................................... 37
2 THE MARRIAGE IN COMMUNITY OF PROPERTY ....................................................................................................................................... 37
3 THE MARRIAGE OUT OF COMMUNITY OF PROPERTY ................................................................................................................................ 40
UNIT 7: THE TERMINATION OF MARRIAGE .............................................................................................................................. 46
1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................................................... 47
2 TERMINATION BY DEATH ................................................................................................................................................................... 47
3 TERMINATION OF MARRIAGE BY DIVORCE: GROUNDS FOR DIVORCE ........................................................................................................... 48
STUDY 8: MAINTENANCE AND PERSONAL CONSEQUENCES FOLLOWING DIVORCE.................................................................. 51
1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................................................... 52
2 MAINTENANCE ............................................................................................................................................................................... 52
3 CHILDREN AND DIVORCE ................................................................................................................................................................... 56
STUDY 9: PATRIMONIAL CONSEQUENCES OF THE TERMINATION OF MARRIAGE .................................................................... 58
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,Unit 1: An Introduction to Family Law
In this study unit students are introduced to Family Law as a field of study. The continuous influence that the
Constitution has on Family Law is discussed and illustrated with reference to a number of examples. The history of
Family Law will also be referred to.
After completion of this course students should be able to:
• Explain, with reference to examples, what the (possible) influence of the Constitution on Family Law entails;
• Set out the most important points of development in the history of Family Law;
• Identify and explain the different types of intimate relationships which are recognised as valid marriages in
South Africa.
OUTLINE
1. The influence of the Constitution on Family Law
2. The history of matrimonial law
3. The different types of valid marriages in South Africa
STUDY MATERIAL
Prescribed:
• A Skelton and M Carnelley (ed) Family Law in South Africa (2010) Chapter 1
• South African Family Law Chapters 18 and 19
• Daniels v Campbell NO and Others 2004 (5) SA 331 (CC)
• Hassam v Jacobs NO and Others 2009 (5) SA 572 (CC)
Supplementary:
• South African Family Law Chapter20
• Dawood v Minister of Home Affairs; Shalabi v Minister of Home Affairs; Thomas v Minister of Home Affairs
2000 (3) SA 936 (CC) (2000 (8) BCLR 837; [2000] ZACC 8)
• Singh v Ramparsad 2007 (3) SA 445 (D)
• Govender v Ragavayah NO and Others 2009 (3) SA 178 (D)
• Hattingh v Juta 2013 (3) SA 275 (CC)
1 The influence of the Constitution on Family Law
Definition of family law;
• Family is part & parcel of everyday lives for individuals. Family law deals with the common life experiences.
What makes it challenging is the personal and emotional nature of relationships & that law, customs &
morals often guide these relationships.
• Forms part of private law, which forms part of the material (not procedural) law which forms part of the
national law.
• Material law concerns the rules (substance) of the law.
• Each jurisdiction has its own family law.
• Family = blood or marriage (consanguinity or affinity).
• Family law regulates the legal relationship between spouses, parents, guardians & children; and other
persons related through blood or affinity.
Sources;
• Result of historical development à
o Constitution
§ Applies to all law & binds the legislature, executive, judiciary & all organs of state.
o Legislation
o Case law
§ Court judgments (judicial precedent)
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, o Common law
§ Roman-Dutch as influence by the English
o International law
o Indigenous law
o Religious law
Subsections;
• The Matrimonial Law (law of husband and wife)
• Matrimonial Property Law
• The parent-child relationship
International law and family law;
• The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights
• The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
• The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
• The European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms
• The African Charter on Human and People’s Rights
2 The history of matrimonial law
The development of family law in South Africa;
• Family unit = cornerstone of society
o Traditionally based on marriage therefore society gave it special protection & central position in the
law.
• The law makes provision for and recognises a number of different types of families.
• Numerous statutes that form the basis of family law;
o Marriage Act 25 of 1961
o Divorce Act 70 of 1979
o Matrimonial Property Act 88 of 1984
o Maintenance Act 99 of 1998
o Maintenance of Surviving Spouses Act 27 of 1990
• Because of the Bill of Rights – right to equality, human dignity, freedom of religion, belief & opinion à courts
& legislature needed to increase the scope of the marriage (1 woman and 1 man)
• 2 major developments à extend the concept of marriage to include same-sex & polygynous unions.
• 1st law that recognised any other type of union = RoCMA 120 of 1998
o Recognises customary marriages (monogamous & polygynous) & gives such marriages equal status
to civil marriage (s2)
• And more recently the Civil Union Act was passed – making an allowance for same-sex couples to marry
3 The different types of valid marriages in South Africa
Family law in South Africa in 2018;
• New forms of family
• Who is a parent?
o Definition in Children’s Act 38 of 2005
• Legal consequences of private relationships
• Regulation of intimate relationships
a. Marriages
i. Civil
ii. Customary
b. Civil Partnerships
c. Cohabitation
d. Marriages in terms of tenets of religious faith
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, e. Marriages with regards to sex changes
a. Marriages
i. Civil
oIn terms of the Marriages Act 25 of 1961
oIn terms of the Civil Union Act 17 of 2006 (“CUA”)
i. S13 of the CUA: the same legal consequences of a “traditional marriage” in terms of the
Marriage Act also apply to civil unions.
ii. Minister of Home Affairs v Fourie (not prescribed) à Constitutional court decision; ruling
that the common law definition of marriage is unconstitutional as it does not afford same-
sex couples the same rights as heterosexual couples.
iii. Background; civil unions can be seen as somewhat of a compromise in allowing same sex
partners to marry without changing the provisions of the Marriage Act.
ii. Customary
o In terms of the Recognition of Customary Marriages Act (“ROCMA”).
o Can’t be married in terms of both civil unions and customary marriages.
o Man can have more than one wife, with the consent of current wife/wives.
b. Civil Partnerships
• In terms of the CUA s11(1): “Solemnisation of marriage or civil partnership – a marriage officer must inquire
from the parties appearing before him or her whether their civil union should be known as a marriage or a
civil partnership…”
• People of opposite sex may also enter into a civil union/marriage
c. Cohabitation
• No automatic legal consequences
o unless; if there is a contract, specific legislation and/or case law
• Differences between civil marriages, civil partnerships and cohabitation
o Marriage and civil partnership = monogamous
o Termination is different
o Invariable consequences of marriage and civil partnership
d. Marriages in terms of tenets of religious faith
• Bill of Rights s15(3): freedom of religion, belief & opinion.
• Marriage law of Islam
o Polygamy allowed
o Marriage in terms of Islam law is void
o Muslim persons: civil marriage
§ If marriage is not solemnised -> considered civil partnership, not marriage.
o Case law;
§ Give reasons as to why it is like this:
• Daniels v Campbell 2004 (summary to follow)
• Hassam v Jacobs 2009 (summary to follow)
§ Future?
• Women’s Legal Centre Trust v President of RSA 2009
• Recognition of 117 Imams as marriage officers
• Hindu marriages
o Singh v Ramparsad 2007
o Govender v Ragavayah 2009
e. Marriages – sex changes
• W v W 1976
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, o 1 of the spouses had a sex change (man became woman) and wanted to marry a man. Court did not
recognise marriage. Doctor’s testimony – validating medical treatment/surgery allows for sex to be
changed on birth certificate.
• Alteration of Sex Description and Sex Status Act
• Realities: KOS v Minister of Home Affairs 2018 (not prescribed)
o Difficulties of transgendered persons in marriages that were solemnised in terms of the Marriage
Act.
Daniels v Campbell 2004 (5) SA 331 (CC):
Facts:
• Married in terms of Muslim rite. Monogamous marriage.
• Muslim woman à not considered a surviving spouse
• Husband deceased, left an intestate will.
• Marriage was not a civil marriage and is therefore void.
• And so, the house that the applicant shared with the deceased, went to the deceased’s estate.
Legal question:
• Is the Intestate Succession Act & the Maintenance of Surviving Spouses Act unconstitutional because they do
not provide for persons married in terms of Islam law?
• Are they invalid for failing to include religious marriages?
Judgment:
• CC held that a surviving spouse in a monogamous Muslim marriage qualifies as a “spouse” and a “survivor”
in terms of the Intestate Act and the Maintenance Act.
• Real issue was not whether the marriage was valid but what the ordinary meaning of the word “spouse”
entails.
• The old, narrow interpretation of the word spouse was unconstitutional.
• Court concluded that the word “spouse” & “survivor” would include Muslim spouses and Muslim surviving
spouses.
Ratio decidendi:
• The courts found that the previous interpretation of the Acts was discriminatory and unconstitutional.
• The Intestate Act would be interpreted broadly to include spouses of monogamous Muslim marriages.
• The Maintenance act would also be interpreted more broadly to include spouses of monogamous Muslim
marriages and for the words “spouse” and “survivor” to be read in.
• The courts believe the broader interpretation is necessary to align the courts with the spirit and purport of
the Constitution.
Hassam v Jacobs 2009 (5) SA 572 (CC):
Facts:
• Polygynous Muslim marriages.
• Applicant married the now deceased in terms of Muslim rite.
• Without the applicants knowledge or consent, the deceased concluded another Muslim marriage.
• The curator ad litem of the deceased’s estate refuses to recognise the applicant as a spouse as she was not
married to the deceased in terms of civil law.
• The provisions of the Intestate Succession Act did not extend to include a widow of a polygynous Muslim
marriage.
Legal question:
• Is the Act unconstitutional and invalid in terms of s1(4)(f) whereby the section does not provide for more
than one spouse in a Muslim marriage.
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,Judgment:
• The CC held that the act be remedied to include the term “or spouses” after “spouse” in s1(4)(f) of the
Intestate Act.
• Van Reenan J and the CC, found the original wording of the Act, unconstitutional.
Ratio:
• Van Reenan J held that the exclusion of widows of a polygynous Muslim marriage from the provisions of the
act, was unconstitutional.
• Equality & dignity
• Unfair discrimination – does not promote tolerance
• Discriminates against widowers – which is an already vulnerable group
• Cannot be justified
Unit 2: the Engagement
In this study unit, attention is given to the definition, formalities and nature of the engagement. The validity
requirements for the conclusion of an engagement are similar to those required for a valid marriage; as a result,
these requirements will be discussed in this study unit and not repeated in respect of the conclusion of marriage. In
theory at least, an engagement can be terminated both lawfully and unlawfully. In as much as this distinction
between the two types of termination is still applicable in South African law, the consequences of the termination of
an engagement will be discussed.
After completion of this course students should be able to:
• define an engagement;
• describe the legal nature of an engagement;
• explain what the validity requirements with regard to the engagement entail;
• explain the ways in which an engagement can be terminated;
• provide a detailed exposition of the consequences of termination of an engagement.
OUTLINE
1. Introduction
2. Definition and nature of an engagement
3. Validity requirements for the conclusion of an engagement
4. Termination of an engagement
STUDY MATERIAL
Prescribed:
• South African Family Law Chapter 2
• Sepheri v Scanlan 2008 (1) SA 322 (C)
• Van Jaarsveld v Bridges 2010 (4) SA 558 (SCA)
• Cloete v Maritz 2013 (5) SA 448 (WCC)
Supplementary:
• Schnaar v Jansen 1924 NPD 218
• Friedman v Harris 1928 CPD 43
• Davel v Swanepoel 1954 (1) SA 383 (A)
• Theleman v Von Geyso 1957 (3) SA 39 (W)
• Guggenheim v Rosenbaum 1961 (4) SA 21 (W)
• S v Jezile 2016 (2) SA 62 (WCC)
1 Introduction
• Agreements to enter into marriage or civil partnership (engagements);
o Individual
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, o Family
• Legal consequences;
o Damages for unlawful termination based on breach of promise
o Gifts of betrothal
o Lobola
• Prescribed formalities.
2 Definition & nature of an engagement
Definition;
• An agreement between two people, to enter into a marriage/ civil partnership on a particular or
determinable time.
• Definition of a marriage; Legally recognised voluntary union between one man and one woman.
o Civil Union Acy allows for civil unions (equivalent to civil marriages) between parties of the same sex.
Nature;
• Sui generis contract àa unique type of contract.
3 Validity requirements for the conclusion of an engagement
Valid agreement;
• Is an agreement between one man and one woman to marry each other on a specific or determinable date
(an engagement) à not a prerequisite for the conclusion of a valid marriage.
Legal consequences;
• Possibility for damages for unlawful termination based on breach of promise
• Gifts of betrothal – ring etc.
• Lobolo – is practiced but is not a requirement for a valid engagement.
Legal requirements for a valid engagement;
A. Legally & factually legitimate
B. Consensus
C. Capacity to act
D. Valid suspensive conditions fulfilled
A Legally & factually legitimate;
• Civil marriage: Parties are to be unmarried
o Friedman v Harris 1928 (not prescribed)
§ If the unmarried party was unaware of the other party’s marriage, he/she can sue for
contumelia (deliberate insult)
• Parties are not within the prohibited degrees of affinity (civil & customary)
• Neither party may be below the age of puberty
• Must be of the opposite sex
B Consensus (agreement);
• Problems with the consensus to marry comes in when either party is under a material mistake or if they
agreed because of a misrepresentation, duress or undue influence.
• Both parties must agree on nature & conduct of engagement
• If one of the 4 below are not present – NO CONSENSUS:
a) Material mistake, error à
o Error
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