Commission praises widow's courage

The Commission on Gender Equality on Wednesday applauded Mrs Hafiza Amod for her courage in taking up a case against the Multilateral Motor Vehicle Accidents Fund to compensate her for the loss of her husband's support.

The Supreme Court of Appeal earlier in the day judged that a duty of support may exist in religious marriages.

"This may mean that every woman married in terms of a religious ceremony ... may have a legally-enforceable right against a third party which deprives them of the support of their partner," said gender commission spokesman Ms Liesl Gerntholtz.

But commission chairman Ms Joyce Piliso-Seroke said it was a pity the court did not extend the judgment to co-habitational and same-sex relationships.

Amod's marriage was not registered as a civil marriage, but her husband was liable to support her.

When he was killed in a car crash, the fund refused to pay her compensation.

Chief Justice Ismail Mahomed ordered the Fund to pay Amod agreed damages of R250 000, with costs. - Sapa