A Home Affairs official in Eswatini, Vuyisile Ndzinisa, has been fired for issuing a death certificate to a living person, Dumsane Kunene, without the required supporting documents. The incident occurred on September 25, 2025, when Ndzinisa, who was then working as an Assistant Civil Registrar in Nhlangano, processed and issued the death certificate despite not having the necessary documents.
According to the Civil Service Commission (CSC) decision dated July 27, 2026, Ndzinisa was approached by Sibusiso Dlamini, a government employee, who asked her to process a death certificate for his relative, Kunene. Ndzinisa explained that she required documents such as Kunene's identity document, marriage certificate, and a letter from the umphakatsi, but Dlamini did not have them. Despite this, she issued the death certificate, which was subsequently used to solicit insurance money.
The case came to light when a relative of Kunene went to claim the insurance money and informed the officers handling the claim that Kunene had died while undergoing treatment, contrary to the information contained in the death certificate. The discrepancy prompted further scrutiny of the certificate, which was found to be fraudulent. The Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) launched a fraud investigation, and Ndzinisa was found guilty of dishonesty by the CSC.
Ndzinisa admitted to the commission that she knew the proper procedure and that deviating from it was an offence. She also admitted that she was not supposed to issue the certificate without the supporting documents. The CSC decision states that Ndzinisa's conduct had brought the Ministry of Home Affairs into disrepute and placed government in a bad standing.
The incident bears similarities to cases reported in South Africa, where fraudulent death registrations have been linked to attempts to obtain insurance payouts. In 2018, life insurers in South Africa rejected 1,915 funeral claims worth R176.4 million, with 1,127 involving fraudulent documentation.
The Ministry of Home Affairs in Eswatini took swift action, with the Legal Advisor, Nhlanhla Dlamini, submitting that Ndzinisa's conduct was serious and warranted dismissal. Ndzinisa pleaded guilty to the charge of dishonesty and was dismissed from the Public Service with immediate effect.
The case highlights the need for vigilance in the issuance of death certificates and the importance of following proper procedures to prevent fraudulent activities. The Ministry of Home Affairs has demonstrated its commitment to upholding the integrity of its officials and preventing such incidents from occurring in the future.
Key points
- A Home Affairs official in Eswatini was fired for issuing a death certificate to a living person.
- The death certificate was used to solicit insurance money, prompting a fraud investigation by the Royal Eswatini Police Service.
- The incident highlights the need for vigilance in the issuance of death certificates to prevent fraudulent activities.
