Gay divorce becomes a reality in South Africa

By Natalie Relph • July 9, 2007 - 14:03

Mr Van Zyl and Mr Liedenberg married in Johannesburg on February 16th.

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A South African gay couple divorced last week in the Praetoria High Court following just five months of marriage.

IT support consultant Ignatius Kloppers van Zyl, 47, set in motion divorce proceedings against Jacques Liebenberg, 36.

Mr Liebenberg's divorce rights are voided under the terms of a pre-nuptial contract.

They were one of many homosexual couples who took advantage of legislation passed by the South African National Council in December 2006 permitting same-sex marriage.

The South African Parliament was overwhelmingly in favour of this motion, voting 240/41, making South Africa the fifth country in the world and the first in Africa to legalise same-sex marriage.

Mr Van Zyl and Mr Liedenberg married in Johannesburg on February 16th and were formally divorced by Judge Mokgoathleng last week.

Both parties were unavailable for comment.

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