The People’s Freedom Party is calling for a meeting with Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber over proposed amendments calling for online issuing of death certificates before burials.  

The party’s Moulana Mohammed Tariq says this could have a negative impact on Islamic law, which prescribes the immediate burial of a body.  

The “Draft Revised White Paper on Citizenship, Immigration and Refugee Protection” seeks to ensure that death certificates are issued online before the disposal of bodies. 

DHA developed a Draft Revised White Paper on Citizenship, Immigration, and Refugee Protection, which updates and strengthens the 2024 White Paper by addressing legal, policy, and operational gaps https://t.co/ntxVI2Eer2 #HaveYourSay #DeliveringDignityforAll pic.twitter.com/gsNZ5iaQK2

— HomeAffairsSA (@HomeAffairsSA) February 15, 2026

Tariq says there is concern that the process could be delayed, especially in the event of system glitches or office hours. 

“If this has to go through, what this means is that we won’t be able to bury anyone accordingly until we receive the death certificates, which is an online system and a procedure. However, the Muslim religion is bound by the teachings of the Prophet and the Quran. You would find that the Nabi (peace be upon him) or the Prophet Muhammad, so that everyone understands, has said there’s two things we must not delay: one is a nikah wedding and the second is obviously the burial, the last rites. Now this would cause a severe delay in the burial for the Muslim community now.” 

PODCAST| PFP speaks to Lotus FM’s Newsbreak on the proposed amendments:

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