University of Tasmania
Browse
SJ ukuthwala.pdf (9.22 MB)

Ukuthwala: structured for relevance

Download (9.22 MB)
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-21, 07:47 authored by Tersia OosthuizenTersia Oosthuizen, Ngema, NM
This article describes the custom of ukuthwala as a form of customary marriage in historical perspective. This is a practice in terms of which a young male would forcibly take a girl to his home with the ultimate aim of marrying her. Ukuthwala may occur in three forms: firstly where the girl consents to the actions of the male, secondly where an agreement is struck between the families of the girl and the boy and thirdly, where neither the girl nor her family has any knowledge of the intended taking. The article discusses each of these instances in turn. Ukuthwala has been likened to the common law crimes of abduction, kidnapping, assault and rape. The authors consider the presumed conflict between the custom and the common law by analysing the way in which courts have interpreted the custom. Thereafter they consider whether the practice conflicts with provisions of the Bill of Rights. They are of the opinion that the practice is not wholly unconstitutional and that there are portions which can be kept and developed. The last section of the article highlights the duty imposed upon courts to develop customary law in line with the constitution and considers possible ways in which ukuthwala could be developed.

History

Publication title

Speculum Juris

Pagination

84-102

ISSN

0584-8652

Department/School

School of Social Sciences

Publisher

University of Fort Hare

Place of publication

South Africa

Rights statement

Copyright 2010 The Authors Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Repository Status

  • Open

Socio-economic Objectives

Civil justice

Usage metrics

    University Of Tasmania

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC