Man’s five-year struggle to get ID
Mr Feliciano Maunze, who is also known as Phillip, said he came to South Africa in 1961 from Mozambique to work in the mines.
He is married to a South African, has grown up children and grandchildren, but still does not have a South African Identity Document.
“I came to South Africa and worked at different mines in and around Johannesburg. My journey for a South Africa ID started in 2009 and since then, I have been back and forth between the hospital and the Department of Home Affairs.
According to Mr Maunze, when applied for his ID he was told to go to a doctor for health checks. He also had to visit the SAPS for a criminal background check.
Mr Muanze said he has completed all of these steps but has still not received his ID. Each time he is told his documents have expired.
“When I take the documents to Home Affairs, they tell me the documents have expired. I go back to do the criminal checks and health checks and when I return, I am again told that the documents have expired,” he said.
“The last time I went to Home Affairs, I was told to go to the Mozambique Embassy and then return to Home Affairs. I am now tired of going there and my wife has already given up,” said Mr Maunze.
His children have been forced to use their mother’s surname because he does not have an ID.
“I have been in this country for a long time. I cannot go back to Maputo now in my old age because I do not have anyone to stay with,” said Mr Maunze.
Mr Mayihlome Tshwete, from the Department of Home Affairs, said not all cases are the same and he will forward Mr Maunze’s matter to immigration to establish if Mr Maunze qualifies for an ID or permanent residency in South Africa.
