Churches, Dingwetsi warn court against redefining marriage

In heads of argument filed before the High Court on October 16, 2026, the bodies argue that doing so would undermine the country's cultural identity, traditional family structures and Parliament's authority to determine the legal definition of marriage.

The Botswana House of Prayer and Transformation and Dingwetsi Association of Botswana have mounted a spirited defence of the country's existing marriage laws, insisting that marriage, as contemplated under the Marriage Act, is a union between a man and a woman. They contend that the Judiciary cannot assume Parliament's legislative powers merely because same-sex couples are demanding recognition of their relationships.