HOME AFFAIRS DEPUTY MINISTER WARNS AGAINST MARRIAGES OF CONVENIENCE

By Sipho Ncube

• Presenting birth certificates and identity documents to 100 Mabopane residents, the deputy minister of home affairs, Bheka Nzuza, warned against marriages of convenience.
• He explained that such actions could lead to serious, unintended consequences.
• An important consequence was that access to social service grants could be negatively impacted.

Birth certificates and identity documents were handed over to 100 residents from Mabopane and surrounding areas, north of Pretoria, during a community outreach event at the Mabopane Sports Centre on 2 May 2025.
The recipients included individuals who applied for South African citizenship through the Late Registration of Birth process.
Addressing the community, the deputy minister of home affairs, Bheka Nzuza, cautioned against entering into marriages of convenience, particularly those involving foreign nationals, as such arrangements could have serious unintended consequences.
“Stop getting into marriages of convenience,” warned Nzuza. “Your surname, and that of your children, changes. This practice often negatively impacts those receiving social assistance, especially those accessing the Child Support Grant.”
He emphasised the importance of securing one’s identity document, saying: “We are here to restore the dignity of our people as recognised South African citizens who can now transact.”
He urged everyone to keep their identity documents safe. “They are your gateway to financial benefits, including access to social grants.
“Unlike our neighbouring countries, South Africa provides such support, which is why our documents are often targeted.”
Nzuza also urged residents to refrain from registering children who are not biologically theirs, warning that this amounts to fraud.
He reminded the public that all children should be registered at birth, and that the Department of Home Affairs is available in public hospitals to facilitate this process.
Also speaking at the event, Gauteng Social Development MEC Faith Mazibuko highlighted the link between identity documentation and access to social assistance.
“As a department, we offer social relief of distress food parcels, which require valid IDs for registration,” said Mazibuko.
“No grant can be processed without an ID. This initiative helps bridge the poverty gap.”