In a statement, the department said those who had been declared dead will need to “provide a sworn affidavit and a full set of fingerprints”.

The department said it would take two weeks “for the process to be completed, as a detailed investigation is required”.

Home Affairs’ chief director of communications, Siobhan McCarthy, said the department was working closely with the Independent Electoral Commission to ensure information contained in the voters’ roll was valid.

McCarthy said the main causes of the “false death” problem were insurance fraud and corrupt officials who issued fraudulent death certificates.

“We have identified many cases where someone, often family member, declares a person dead to cash in on their life insurance . In some cases people in debt collude with another person to have themselves declared dead to avoid debt collectors,” she said.

McCarthy said the other main cause of the problem was collusion between Home Affairs officials and members of the public in the issuing of fraudulent death certificates.

She said the department was committed to rooting out corruption within its ranks through “the improvement of processes, the introduction of new systems and the activities of (its) counter-corruption unit”.

The department is addressing death fraud with assistance from the Health Practitioners Council of South Africa, South African Nursing Council, funeral parlours and traditional leaders.

“South Africans are urged to confirm their status prior to the April 22 election by calling the contact centre on 0800 60 11 90 or visiting their nearest Home Affairs office,” said McCarthy.