A story released today by South African Press Association reports that in terms of a settlement reached with Pretoria’s Government Employees' Pension Fund (GEPF), the domestic partners of civil servants are now entitled to full pension benefits upon their death.

This follows the out-of-court settlement of a class action suit against Finance Minister Trevor Manuel, filed with the Pretoria High Court by the Lesbian and Gay Equality Project.

In the application, the organization sought to secure full pension benefits for the surviving same-sex partners of state employees.

In terms of the settlement, all partners of lesbian and gay employees of state or para-statal organizations will be entitled to pensions from the State Pension Fund upon their death.

This affects those who are in a position to register their partners for such benefits, as well as the partners of state employees who are already deceased.

"It is very regrettable that a matter such as this... took so long to resolve. We are nevertheless pleased with the final outcome," said Equality Project coordinator Evert Knoesen.

The organization also called on the government to shift from being defensive on matters of gay and lesbian equality to being proactive.