Home Affairs Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi has rejected the opposition’s proposal for DNA tests to be conducted on Thabo Bester, stating that hospital records confirm his birth in Soweto. Responding to the official opposition’s suggestion, Motsoaledi emphasized that DNA tests are only employed in extreme cases to establish someone’s identity.
Motsoaledi clarified that conducting DNA tests on every individual is not feasible because there are existing records that verify their identity. In the case of Bester, the hospital records from Chris Hani Baragwanath indicate that Maria Meisie Mabaso gave birth to him in 1986. According to Motsoaledi, Bester’s DNA matches that of his biological mother, eliminating the need for further verification through DNA testing.
Motsoaledi addressed DA MP Adrian Roos, stating that continuously advocating for DNA testing as the sole means of identification is misleading. He urged Roos to refrain from raising the DNA issue every time the identification of people, including Bester, is discussed.
Motsoaledi emphasized that conducting DNA tests on every South African citizen is impractical. He stressed that Bester’s DNA match with his mother has already been confirmed by the police, and the hospital records support their findings. Motsoaledi questioned the necessity of questioning the hospital records when they provide evidence of the birth and parentage.
