Question NW487 to the Minister of Home Affairs
19 March 2021 - NW487
Masango, Ms B to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
What plans does he have in place to prioritise the beneficiaries of the SA Social Security Agency who are awaiting their applications for birth registration and/or identity documents to be finalised by his department?
Reply:
1) The Departments of Home Affairs and Social Development signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Identity Management and Social Welfare matters. This MOU is affected through a standing committee comprising of DHA, DSD as well as SA Social Security Agency (SASSA) representatives where matters of mutual concern are discussed. This MOU makes provision for the sharing of information that will facilitate the smooth execution of social welfare service delivery matters, where SASSA will provide information about citizens who require either birth registration services and/or identity documents.
2) Birth registration is the building block of the National Population Register (NPR). The Department prioritised birth registration and has partnered with the Department of Health to ensure that every birth that occurs is registered prior to them being discharged from health facilities.
3) Mobile Units are also deployed to assist in registering births in areas where there is no infrastructure to register birth.
4) Mothers who are unable to register birth at health facilities are referred to front offices to register such births.
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