Times Of Swaziland: GIVE WIVES POWER TO SAY NO TO UMGCAKI – SOME MPS

GIVE WIVES POWER TO SAY NO TO UMGCAKI – SOME MPS
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Sabelo Majola on 26/05/2023 09:38:00


MBABANE – Members of Parliament (MPs) want women to have the power to say no
to polygamous marriage in the kuteka custom.
The kuteka custom entails that a man can have more than one wife but they have
an obligation to report to the first wife about their intentions. However, the
reporting does not mean the man must get consent from the wife. It is courtesy
that the man makes his first wife aware of is intentions.
However, the legislators, particularly the female MPs, want it to be
incorporated in the Marriages Bill, 2022 that the woman, during consultation
with her husband on marrying a second wife, should have the power to put her
foot down and deny the husband marrying another wife.
Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Portfolio Committee Chairman MP
Sibusiso Mabhanisi Dlamini moved for the adoption of the report of the committee
on the Marriages Bill, 2022 and he was seconded by Manzini North MP Macford
Sibandze. Shiselweni Region MP Nokuthula Dlamini submitted that there was no
better time for the Bill to be enacted into law because many people were
miserable in their marriages but there was no way out. She even enquired from
the committee chairman on why the Bill took long as people were enduring very
toxic marriages and said the legislation was a ray of hope. “I am very pleased
about this law; it will restore peace, respect and dignity in many marriages.
The fact that the Bill gives women many grounds of divorce, even in the
traditional wedding, is something to celebrate,” she said.
Voice
Manzini Region MP Busisiwe Mavimbela echoed MP Nokuthula on her submissions,
stating that it was giving her a lot of joy to see the committee putting so much
effort into a legislation that sought to give women a voice in marriages.
“Women have the right to say no to a second wife and the law should also
incorporate that. If the couple does not reach a consensus that favours the
woman, that should be ground for divorce and she should be allowed to leave that
marriage,” she submitted. Deputy Prime Minister Themba Masuku was one of the
legislators who supported the Bill and he also touched on the issue of the right
of the woman to decline a request from his husband to marry a second wife.
“Is there room for the woman to say yes or no when consulted by the husband on
his intentions to marry a second wife? Does the legislation give her power to
come out of that marriage if her opinion is not considered as far as being in a
polygamous marriage is concerned?” he asked. However, most of the MPs were
against the proposed amendment giving women power to deny their husbands
marrying another wife. Minister of Labour and Social Security Phila Buthelezi,
enquired if it would not be in conflict with the traditions and customs of the
country if women were given that power. The minister said the proposed
legislation had many conflicts with the customs of the country and if given the
green light, it could stain them heavily.
Danger
MP Prince Mfanawemakhosi said the danger in this proposed provision was that
many would land in hospital after a beating from their wives as they consult to
have a second wife. He said as much as it was a norm to alert the wife on
one’s intention to have a second wife, it was improper to get consent because
chances of getting a positive response were next to zero. It should be noted
that the Bill was withdrawn by the chairperson of the committee after MPs
complained that it had too many gaps.