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The DA Women’s Network (DAWN) of Gauteng North welcomes the granting of South African birth certificates to Lebo and Lebogang Munyai, who have, with assistance from the DA, won a two-decade long fight to be fully acknowledged as South African citizens.

The plight of the Munyai twins was brought to the DA's attention following years of unsuccessful attempts by the twins to obtain assistance from government agencies. The twins, who will turn 32 in May, have been excluded from possibilities due to their lack of identification. Children of Lebo and Lebogang were unable to enrol in school since their births could not be recorded with the Department of Home Affairs.

One of the key causes of this intergenerational statelessness of South Africans, as the experience of the Munyai twins illustrates, is the lack of free DNA testing for indigent South African fathers or relatives. This means many South Africans are unable to prove their relation to a South African citizen where the mother cannot be located or has passed away. This often leads to a vicious cycle of multi-generational deprivation.

The Munyais’ process of obtaining the needed DNA information was arduous and entailed extensive correspondence with laboratory institutions to secure the opportunity to prove the Munyais’ relation to their only surviving paternal aunt through a DNA test. Following the results of this test, the Department of Home Affairs finally registered the twins’ birth on Tuesday 2 February 2023.

Opportunities all South Africans should by right enjoy are, at last, now within reach for Lebo and Lebogang – as well as their children who will be documented and recognised as South African citizens, giving access to child-grant support and an education.

Over half a million undocumented South African children remain in our school system, according to DA Shadow Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Adrian Roos, which is a similar number to the half a million children that disappear from our school system between grade 1 and 12.

The DA has called on Home Affairs Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi to ensure that the National Laboratory conducts free DNA tests for indigent South African family members where such a test is required by Home Affairs to prove South African citizenship as any caring government would do. The minister is yet to give any indication that this will be done.

The right to an identity is enshrined as a basic human right in our Constitution, which is a basic right for every citizen – not least the most vulnerable in our communities. DAWN Gauteng North is proud of the role played by the DA in addressing this instance of injustice and helping Lebo and Lebogang be fully recognised as true South Africans.

DAWN Gauteng North reiterates the DA’s call for Minister Motsoaledi to ensure the availability of free DNA tests.

DAWN Gauteng North further invite eligible residents in the City of Tshwane facing similar predicaments to send a detailed email to the DA Women's Network at dawngn@da.org.za.

Issued by Cllr Sandy Khathutshelo Mbuvha - DA Women's Network Chairperson Gauteng North