Home Affairs accused of changing wives’ names against wishes

“IF you don’t take your husband’s name, you won’t be married.”

This is what a Home Affairs official told a journalist and author who complained that her surname had been changed to that of her husband.

Sarah Wild learnt during the local elections that she was registered as Sarah de Wet.

When she was married in April, she indicated to the marriage officer that she wanted to keep her maiden name and this was filled in on the form.

“They [Home Affairs] stole my name and I want it back,” she said.

The marriage registration form has three categories, allowing a wife to indicate that she is taking her husband’s surname, keeping her maiden name or creating a new double-barrelled surname.

Last week, when Wild phoned the Home Affairs office in Stutterheim, where she was registered, an official told her: “But if you don’t take your husband’s name, you won’t be married.”

A frustrated Wild vented on social media, resulting in many women sharing similar stories.

In a few days, almost 90 women filled in a form that Wild has created relating how they were given their husband’s surname against their wishes.

Wild believes the problem is so widespread that it is systematic.

“I am pretty sure it is not intentional from the national department, but it is happening on the ground,” she said.

Home Affairs spokesman Mayihlome Tshwete said there could be multiple causes.

“For example, an incomplete form from marriage officials will mean a woman by default is given her husband’s surname.”

He said the problem may also arise at the data-capturing stage when forms are put on computer.

But he cautioned against concluding that the problem was systematic.

The department processes about 250 000 marriages a year.