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State justifies OK for same-sex unions

Kamogelo Seekoei

Kamogelo Seekoei

Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo- Ngcuka, left, tried to explain to church ministers why the ANC is the only party that supports same-sex marriages.

Speaking at the Lutheran Church general assembly conference in Kempton Park, Gauteng, on Tuesday, she stressed that the government did not want to use the Bible to discriminate against anyone - as the apartheid regime did.

"When we drafted the constitution we all said we wanted a South Africa that does not discriminate against anyone, irrespective of their sexual orientation. I know we all meant it."

The deputy president said if the government did not pass the law on these liaisons, the constitutional court would have done it.

"We were just trying to balance all the scales."

Mlambo-Ngcuka pleaded with the church to assist the government with RDP of the soul.

"We need your help because you are the only people who have an audience every week and you can spread the message."

She acknowledged that because the government neglected to develop the morality of its people, the situation had deteriorated.

In their response, the church ministers agreed that the church and government needed each other.

Bishop Malebogo Ramashapa said: "We accept the challenges that you put to us and we hope that you will address the challenges that we have - that deter us from helping you."

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