This week we published a statement by Gail Kirchmann, Deputy Chairperson of ECLGBTI Org regarding the refusal of South Africa's Home Affairs in Port Elizabeth to marry gay couple Donovan Wynne and Michael Cronje (pictured).

Democratic Alliance Proportional Representative Councillor, Lance Weyer, was notified of ECLGBTI Org's protests and according to his blog took up this case with DA shadow minister of Home Affairs, Hon Annette Lovemore MP.

According to Mr Weyer she was quick to respond and followed up the matter with the Home Affairs Department and alerted the Director-General to the matter.

Home Affairs provincial manager Sonto Lusu this week personally apologised to the couple after the PE office turned down their request to be married. Lusu, not only apologised, but also offered to immediately ensure they get married at Home Affairs.

However, due to the stress of their ordeal, the couple has informed Mr Weyer that they have decided to marry privately.

Mr Weyer's states: "The facts of the matter are that the Constitutional Court instructed parliament to develop appropriate legislation around same-sex marriages. This was done, and the Civil Union Act of 2006 was passed. South Africa recognises the right of same-sex couples to be married! The couple was told unequivocally that Home Affairs could not help them as it did not “do” gay marriages. The DA feels that this is utterly unacceptable."

Mr Weyer continues: "Public representatives need to uphold all aspects of our constitution, as a constitution is like a fragile house of cards – if we start to allow some aspects to collapse the whole thing will fall."

Lance Weyer is a Democratic Alliance Proportional Representative Councillor at Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. He serves on the Health & Public Safety Standing Committee and Special Programmes Strategic Committee.