LEGABIBO argues same-sex marriage exclusion unconstitutional in Botswana High Court
via Mmegi1 min read
The Lesbians, Gays and Bisexuals of Botswana LEGABIBO has informed the High Court that denying same-sex couples civil marriage rights infringes upon constitutional protections. The organization contends that the State cannot withhold legal recognition for same-sex unions while granting marriage rights to heterosexual couples. LEGABIBO has applied to join a case before the Gaborone High Court, initiated by Bonolo Omphile Selelo Tsholofelo Seele Kumile and another applicant, against the Acting Director of Civil Registration and the Attorney General. The dispute centers on the Department of Civil and National Registration's refusal to publish banns for the couple's intended marriage, stating in a May 8, 2025 letter that such a marriage is not supported by law.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Mmegi.
Must ReadThe Botswana government is defending its refusal to process a same-sex marriage application, stating that the country's laws do not permit such unions. This stance is outlined in court documents filed in response to a legal challenge by Tsholofelo Kumile and Bonolo Selelo, two women seeking to marry under Botswana's Marriage Act. The Department of Civil and National Registration had informed the applicants that their desired marriage was not supported by law. The government argues that the Marriage Act explicitly contemplates marriage only between a man and a woman, citing references to a "bridegroom" and a "bride" as evidence of Parliament's intent. Government lawyers maintain that the Act does not provide for same-sex marriages, thus justifying the officials' refusal to process the request.
FNB hosted a watch party for clients, stakeholders, and media for the World Cup opener, which saw the host team win 2-0 in a match with three red cards. The Minister of Sport and Arts, Jacob Kelebeng, attended the event. The evening included giveaways during a quiz about the game and FNB's services. FNB's Facebook page described the event as featuring "Great football, great company and an atmosphere built around a shared passion for the game," and encouraged using FNB Visa Cards for tournament-related payments.
The country's foreign exchange reserves increased to approximately P56 billion in March, marking the highest level since October 2024. This improvement suggests an increase in inflows and the impact of policy changes, including exchange rate adjustments. In March 2024, the reserves stood at about P46.4 billion. The Bank of Botswana's preliminary data indicates a general upward trend, with reserves rising from P55.3 billion in February to P56 billion in March. The Pula Fund, a savings instrument, was valued at P29.1 billion in March, up from P24.5 billion a year prior. The Government Investment Account GIA, which is the government's share of the Pula Fund, reached P9.1 billion in March, compared to P7 billion in March 2025. The GIA is used to fund various government needs and support import bills. Its balance fluctuates based on the surplus or deficit of the Government Remittances Account GRA, the government's main revenue account. When the GRA's balance falls below a certain level, withdrawals are made from the GIA. Due to a downturn in the diamond industry and weaker alternative revenue sources, the GIA has increasingly been used to supplement the GRA.