Home Affairs Dept warns SAns marrying foreign nationals for financial benefit of legal ramifications

JOHANNESBURG - South Africans marrying foreigners for financial benefit have been warned of possible legal ramifications.  

The comments were made by Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Njabulo Nzuza on the sidelines of a visit to Thembisa Hospital, where he, alongside other officials, welcomed babies born on Christmas.  

By law, a foreigner who weds a South African national and seeks permanent residence in the country is required to have been in a relationship with the individual for at least five years.  

A similar standard is held for life partners who, in conjunction with the prerequisite, are required to produce evidence of shared financial responsibilities.  

Nzuza said this criminal offence was an added burden to an already inundated Department of Home Affairs.  

"It's not worth it. It's criminal. It's wrong. Don't get yourself involved with those marriages of convenience, and if we do that, we will just keep the country running."