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

Source: The Sowetan Live, 14/09/2016

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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