GAUTENG – A Katlehong family’s efforts to claim their inheritance have prompted an official investigation by the Department of Home Affairs into what appears to be a case of fraudulent birth registration.
The three siblings have been working since 2014 to transfer ownership of their late father’s home. Their efforts stalled when the Master’s Office advised them that an individual listed as their sibling is registered as the sole beneficiary of the property.
According to the family, they have no knowledge of this person and cannot account for how they were added to official records as a sibling. They report that this individual only began appearing in documentation related to the estate in 2024.
Mamokubung Moroke, a manager with the Department of Home Affairs, confirmed the department is actively investigating the matter.
“We are dealing with cases of false registration,” Moroke stated. “This occurs when children who are not biologically yours appear under your ID number on the national population register. The system allows parents to view all children registered under their details.”
Moroke detailed the department’s approach to resolving such cases. Investigators will retrieve original birth registration forms for all children linked to the parents’ identification numbers. These foundational documents will be cross-referenced with current records to pinpoint inconsistencies. Officials may also conduct interviews with the individual listed as a sibling to assess their understanding of how their registration occurred.
“Sometimes the person may say, ‘I don’t know how my birth was registered; I simply have a birth certificate,'” Moroke explained. “If we determine that the individual listed as a dependent is genuinely unknown to the family and acknowledges they are not related, the department has the authority to remove that record.”
Moroke stressed that procedural fairness remains central to the process. The department cannot unilaterally delete records without first allowing the individual in question an opportunity to present evidence supporting their claim, which could include DNA testing.
Currently, the family continues to reside in the property. Home Affairs is working with other government entities to locate the individual named as a beneficiary to accelerate resolution of the case.
While such incidents are not commonplace, Moroke acknowledged they occur with some regularity. She encouraged parents to regularly review which children are registered under their ID numbers during any Home Affairs transaction, including ID applications or document requests.
“The original registration form contains critical details, including the mother’s information,” Moroke noted. “This allows us to verify whether current documents align with our archival records.”
The department affirmed its dedication to resolving the situation thoroughly while ensuring all parties receive equitable treatment under the law.
