Question NW3044 to the Minister of Home Affairs
10 October 2022 - NW3044
Tito, Ms LF to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
(a) How does his department intervene in cases where a person does not have the funds to pay for their own DNA tests in the quest of proving their nationality as South African and (b) what other alternatives does his department make available for poor, undocumented South Africans?
Reply:
1. Honourable member DNA tests are conducted for many reasons in the department and not just for people to prove their nationality. The test can be conducted for proving parenthood of South Africans themselves.
Unfortunately, there is no waiver of fees process in place by the department for the parents who cannot afford DNA tests, as the fees and tariffs hereto are administered by the National Health Laboratory Services (NHLS). The institution is not dictated to by the Department of Home Affairs as it is a Department of Health facility.
The Department however has a Memorandum of Agreement with the Department of Health. Presently the two departments are exploring a possibility of provision of paternity tests free of charge or at a minimal fee to indigent clients if the Department of Health agrees.
2. Obviously, these are indigent people who are referred to the Department of Social Development to assist.
END