Home Affairs commits to tightening ID administration amid security threats

JOHANNESBURG - The Department of Home Affairs says it is committed to a fair administrative process to get to the bottom of IDs that have been wrongfully blocked and those that represent a genuine security threat.

Last week, the department called on all South Africans who are currently in possession of a blocked ID to provide written reasons and representations within 30 days.

According to the department, some IDs have been blocked for over 19 years for various reasons.

They include duplicates, the fact that they were held by an illegal immigrant or because the ID holder had died.

Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber said, “The submissions must be sent to sylvia.phasha@dha.gov.za. The department will also undertake a sustained social media campaign to provide the public with an opportunity to make representations.”