More than 500 fraudulent ‘I Dos’ undone in 2022: Home Affairs

Home Affairs said most fraudulent marriages involve migrants who marry South Africans for ‘convenience purposes.’

Oct 3, 2022 - 18:03
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More than 500 fraudulent ‘I Dos’ undone in 2022: Home Affairs

The Minister of Home Affairs, Aaron Motsoaledi, revealed that more than 500 fraudulent marriages have been reversed since 1 January 2022 in a reply to a parliamentary question last week.

HOME AFFAIRS REVERSED MORE THAN 500 FRAUDULENT MARRIAGES

IFP MP Khethamabala Petros Sithole asked the Home Affairs Minister about the number of fraudulent marriages his department has undone. The question was answered on 30 September.

Sithole also wanted to know what the department is doing to put an end to fraudulent marriage certifications.

Motsoaledi said 553 fraudulent marriages have been finalised since 1 January 2022. He added that a number of fraudulent marriages are reported every year and his department has implemented a number of measures to put a stop to it.

The Minister said, “fraudulent marriages are prevalent mainly with foreign nationals marrying South Africans for convenience purposes.”

Nevertheless, all couples – regardless of nationality – are forewarned that marriage is a legally binding contract and they should be fully aware of the consequences, benefits and disadvantages.

The Department has introduced a new marriage register form (DHA-30), which requires a photograph and thumbprint for verification purposes.

Couples must also visit the nearest Home Affairs front office to verify their marital status and undergo brief interviews before their marriage is registered.

A new marriage form that requires photographs and fingerprints is one of the measures the department of home affairs has introduced to curb fraudulent certification. Image: Pixabay.

According to the department, on the day of the marriage the couple must present the following:

  • Identity documents (for each person getting married)
  • If a foreign national is marrying a South African citizen, the non-citizen should present a valid passport as well as well as a completed BI-31 Form (Declaration for the Purpose of Marriage, Letter of no impediment to confirm that he/she is not married in country of origin)
  • If the marriage is for a minor (a person under the age of 18 years), written consent is needed in the form of DHA32 by both parents/ legal guardian or form DHA34 from the Commissioner of Child Welfare or a judge. In the case where the marriage is between minors under the ages of 18 for boys or 15 for girls, written consent from the Minister of Home Affairs will also be required
  • If any of the persons who are getting married are divorced, then the final decree of divorce should be furnished.
  • If any of the persons who are getting married are widowed, the deceased spouse’s death certificate must be submitted.

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