Department of home affairs admits responsibility for woman’s ID woes
The department of home affairs admitted responsibility for an administrative error that prevented a woman from getting her identity document (ID) for two years.
POLOKWANE – The department of home affairs admitted responsibility for an administrative error that prevented a woman from getting her identity document (ID) for two years.
Lucinda Antonio said she applied for an ID in February 2012 after her ID was stolen.
She went to the department several times to find out when she would be able to get her new ID, but the department apparently kept telling her that the ID was still being processed in Pretoria.
Antonio said she did not worry, because she had her driver’s licence as proof of identification, but needed her ID two weeks ago to clear documentation at the bank.
She went back to the department where they allegedly told her there was a mix-up with her application and she needed to reapply, which would cost her R140 for the ID and R50 for the ID photos.
Marjorie Segoale, head of Polokwane home affairs said Antonio had to reapply for her ID as her previous ID was accidentally destroyed by one of the machines at home affairs.
“She will not pay for her application and the department will give her free photos for her ID application,” Segoale explained.
Antonio thanked Review for bringing her problem to the attention of the officials.
“If it wasn’t for Review, I would still be fighting with the people from home affairs to sort out the problem that they caused. It is good to know that there is a community newspaper that looks out and after its people. Thank you very much,” Antonio said.
