BY: Oluwatoyin Hawal Momolosho
Claim:
A viral graphic post on TikTok claims that all offices of South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs have been shut down nationwide until further notice.
Verdict:
False.
FactCheckAfrica findings regarding the viral graphic and the available official information does not support the claim that all Home Affairs offices across South Africa have closed.
Full Text:
A graphic circulating on TikTok claims that all offices of South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs have been shut down nationwide.
The graphic features the department’s name and branding, the South African flag and an image of what appears to be a locked office entrance. It carries the headlines “ALL HOME AFFAIRS SHUT DOWN” and “ALL DEPARTMENTS. NATIONWIDE.”
The image also features symbols suggesting that services involving identity documents, passports, birth certificates, marriage certificates, permits and applications have been suspended.
At the bottom, the graphic states: “NO SERVICE. NO ACCESS. ALL HOME AFFAIRS OFFICES CLOSED.”
The presentation gives the impression that the government has announced a nationwide suspension of Home Affairs services.
The graphic circulated amid controversy surrounding South Africa’s asylum-processing system and the handling of applications at refugee reception facilities.
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