Soil of Africa hits out at Home Affairs, says people whose IDs have been blocked have lost faith in dept

Civil movement Soil of Africa says many citizens whose IDs have been blocked, some for several years, have lost faith in the Department of Home Affairs.

Frustrated citizens joined by members of the organisation marched to the department's head office in Tshwane on Monday, protesting against what they say are thousands of IDs that have been unfairly blocked.

The movement says the department’s lack of urgency and commitment to resolving the 18-year-old issue has left many feeling hopeless.

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The ordeal comes after the department blocked 2.5 million IDs that were flagged for potential fraud.

Disgruntled citizens hurled insults at the home affairs department officials, who vowed to resolve their matter of blocked IDs with urgency.

The protesters say they no longer trust he department’s promises, adding that only visible action and not words will restore their faith.

The organisation representing people whose IDs have been lost, Soil for Africa, says it's no surprise that people do not trust what they have been told.

Deputy chairperson Sedibana Biyana: "I can tell you now, these people are more disgruntled than ever, because they have lost hope in the operations of the home affairs being the guardians of our identities."

The organisation has expressed concern that the prolonged impact on young people who have been affected could drive them to extreme frustrations that could lead to self-harm.