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DNA testing before birth registration story a hoax, says Home Affairs

The Department of Home Affairs has dismissed as a hoax an article claiming that compulsory DNA testing has been introduced for registration of new births.

 In a statement‚ the department said the hoax article being circulated on social media purported to emanate from an interview conducted with Minister Malusi Gigaba.

“We wish to categorically state that no such interview was ever conducted by the minister with what appears to be a fake website. The department will utilise official communication platforms to create awareness around any changes in policy should there be such pronouncements‚ including those made by the ministry‚” Home Affairs Department said.

The department said its last regulations on birth and death registration were introduced in 2014.

These regulations were made to deal with cases of children born out of wedlock.

“We have been aware of cases where single mothers get involved in relationships with non-South African men and approach Home Affairs offices to record these persons as fathers of their children even if they are not the biological fathers. This is then used by such persons to address our Department for permanent residence status in the country due to the right that children have to be cared for by their parents. To this end‚ and where such a circumstance arises‚ we now require the results of paternity tests. This is applicable to non-South Africans‚” the statement read.

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