Home Affairs will not force DNA paternity tests

HOMES Affairs has dismissed fake articles that are published online and misleading the public by stating that the department will be forcing mothers to have parental DNA tests before the children can take the surnames of their fathers.

The articles read: “From 2017 onwards, all babies born to South African parents will be required to undergo DNA tests to confirm their paternity before they can be allowed to take on their fathers’ surnames, Minister of Home Affairs, Mr Malusi Gigaba has said.”

Although the Department of Home Affairs explained to people that if it were to announce something, it would make use of public communications platforms. People are, however, convinced and engaged in this topic on social media platforms and sharing these malicious articles.

Home Affairs Department explained on its website:

“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.

“To provide clarity on the matter, in 2014, we announced new births and deaths regulations. In 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.

“Similarly, where there is an application by a third party to substitute his particulars as the father of a child and to effectively remove the recorded father’s name in the birth certificate, the regulations now provide that a paternity test must be submitted by the applicant.”

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