Home Affairs facing class action over birth certificates
Haunted by the knowledge that their children’s futures are slipping away as a result of Home Affairs officials’ refusal to issue them with birth certificates – a group of SA parents has filed a class action against the department. A Daily Dispatch report says the main aim of the legal action – led by lead counsel Lilla Crouse SC – is to stop officials from demanding DNA tests that cost thousands of rands before children are issued with a birth certificate.
The affected parents all live in the Aliwal North and Sterkspruit area. According to papers filed at the Eastern Cape High Court (Grahamstown), the parents want the department to stop demanding DNA tests unless government carries the cost. Complainants also want to compel officials to accept an affidavit as proof of parentage and to stop refusing birth registration where one parent is an illegal immigrant or undocumented.
The report notes lawyers for the department have filed papers indicating they would oppose the action.
Article disclaimer: While we have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of this article, it is not intended to provide final legal advice as facts and situations will differ from case to case, and therefore specific legal advice should be sought with a lawyer.
