Mothers probed for selling birth certificates to foreigners

THE Department of Home Affairs is probing allegations that mothers are selling their children's original birth certificates to foreigners after several instances came to lights where 18-year olds tried to apply for ID documents and couldn't produce their original birth certificates.

- TRACY-LYNN RUITERS

The first cases came to light when Mitchells Plain Home Affairs manager, Shereen Meyer, made the revelation during a public meeting attended by government stakeholders and residents.

Meyer confirmed to Weekend Argus that an internal investigation was under way after the matter came to the department's attention when several learners applying for their identity documents (IDs) in matric were unable to produce birth certificates.

"Our citizenship is not to be sold," said Meyer firmly during the meeting, warning of the seriousness of such offences.

The Department of Home Affairs since confirmed it is investigating the claims. Siyabulela Qoza, spokesperson for the department, said they were aware of three such cases and were probing whether more instances may have occurred. He also confirmed that, from what they have seen, the incidents do not appear to be stemming from the officereferencing that there is no involvement of employees.