Society

ACDP opposed to legislation of polyandry in South Africa

The ACDP has been vocal in its opposition to the possibility of polyandry being legislated in the country, further highlighting how no African cultures practice such.

Kenneth Meshoe, leader of the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP), took to Twitter on Thursday, 13 May 2021, to clarify that his party is not in support of the possible legislation of polyandry in South Africa. Polyandry, should it be legislated, would mean that a woman may legally have more than one husband.

In light of the debate on whether or not it should be legislated, the ACDP has been one of the most vocal in its opposition to the suggestion. The party first wrote, “The ACDP does not and will not support the legalisation of polyandry in SA.” Adding, “We note that traditional leaders and the Muslim Judicial Council agree with us,” and “that the (Democratic Alliance) DA supports the legalisation of polyandry – no surprise there.”

In a subsequent post, the party used religion, specifically the Bible, and African traditional norms as additional reasons for its opposition to the legislation. Moreover, it alluded to “intra-family violence” and the impact on men’s egos if they were to be the second or third husband.

See the post below.

Sabelo Makhubo
s.makhubo@politicalanalysis.co.za