Gay couple refused marriage?

20 Feb 2007-  Johannesburg- South Africa- The department of home affairs has denied claims by a gay couple of Witpoortjie, Johannesburg, that officials at the Roodepoort office refused to marry them because of their sexual orientation.

Spokesperson Mantshele Tau said on Tuesday that claims by Marius Olivier and Tommy Meyer were "baseless" as officials at the Roodepoort office in the West Rand had denied any knowledge of the matter.

Olivier and Meyer's story was reported in Tuesday's Beeld newspaper. They told the paper that a female official had asked if Olivier and his "girlfriend" had identity documents.

"We do not do that"

When Olivier told her he was marrying "him" (by pointing to Meyer) the official allegedly responded by saying "we do not do that".

Tau told Sapa on Tuesday: "Everyone at that office said they did not know anything about the gay couple being turned away. "I personally believe right channels were not followed because even the manager at the office knew nothing of the matter."

Tau said the couple should have noted the name of the official who turned them away and reported her to the manager instead of "running to the press".

"All officials have name tags and they could have simply noted the name and went to the manager's office." He said although the claims were serious, the department felt they "did not carry any weight". Tau said however that they would re-visit the matter during Tuesday's working hours.

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