The National Council of Provinces (NCOP) in South Africa officially passed the Civil Union Amendment Act on 1 July 2020. Essentially, this will give same-sex couples the same rights as heterosexual partners.

A crucial part of these amendments lies in the fact that it would repeal section 6 of the Civil Union Act, which gave marriage officers the right to inform the minister that "he or she objects on the ground of conscience, religion, and belief to solemnising a civil union between persons of the same sex".

"The Select Committee received a briefing from a legal adviser. Following this briefing the committee took a resolution to involve the public in the matter and called for submissions on the Bill. We received about 325 submissions from individuals and organisations. There were those who opposed the repeal of section 6 of the Civil Union Act and then there were those in support," said Chairperson of the NCOP's Select Committee on Security and Justice Shahidabibi Shaikh to News24.

The Bill will now be sent to President Cyril Ramaphosa to be finalised.