eMBALENHLE – Life for Mr Vusi Ndlovu from eMbalenhle has become extremely difficult since someone stole his identity.
Sharing an identity document with a stranger has had repercussions in his employment and family life.
Mr Ndlovu only realised the theft of his identity when he wanted to open a bank account for his children and was told that he is already an account holder.
“While I was confused about this.
“While I was still pondering on this, someone from an unknown company’s labour department phoned me to sign an end of contract form. I explained to the official that I am unemployed.
“The stranger used all my details, including my stand number.
“I then found out this person is working for the company that is based in Pretoria.”
Mr Ndlovu reported the matter to the eMbalenhle Police.
He claims the station commander instructed the investigating officer to take Mr Ndlovu along when they go to the company to look for the identity thief.
“However, as we left the commander’s office, the detective told me that he will go alone to Pretoria.
“The next day he told me that he didn’t find the company.”
Mr Ndlovu then travelled to Pretoria and found the company. He asked someone from the nearest police station to accompany him.
“Pretoria Police took me there and the company confirmed that the person I’m looking for is working for them and was posted at a power station in Mpumalanga,” said Mr Ndlovu.
He gave the detective information on the whereabouts of the suspect.
The detective did not want Mr Ndlovu to go with him when the police went to the power station.
Mr Ndlovu was angry when the detective later said they were unable to apprehend the suspect at the power station.
The security guards at the power station confirmed that the suspect was inside the plant at the time, but escaped when he was notified that someone was looking for him at the gate.
Mr Ndlovu has since received calls from debt collectors.
He claims the identity thief bought a car and made other debt. Mr Ndlovu is now blacklisted for the debt he did not incur.
“Even now, it was difficult to get employment. When I began working for my current employer, I could not get access to Sasol because of a theft case against me – I was completely unaware of this.
“Fortunately I was given time to clear my name through a case that I had opened and affidavits, ” said Mr Ndlovu.
He said the police must do their job because if the police were serious about his case, the suspect would have been jailed by now.
Lieut-Col Andries Tshabalala, detective head of eMbalenhle Police Station, said the investigating officer is working tirelessly to apprehend the suspect.
“We appeal to the complainant to be patient.
“We assure him that we are doing everything in our power to arrest the suspect who is using his identity document.
“Our investigation is being tightened, we know the case was opened two years back and is frustrating to the victim,” said Col Tshabalala.
