A 58-year-old Meadowlands Zone 2 resident, George Phea, has been living in limbo for years after losing his SA ID while travelling for work, a loss that has since cost him access to essential services and recognition as a citizen.

Phea was born in Meadowlands and later moved with his mother and siblings to Mozambique, where he grew up before returning to his family home in Zone 2.

After losing his ID, Phea tried to apply for a replacement at the Department of Home Affairs in Middelburg, using his passport as identification.

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“An official helped me fill in the forms but kept my passport and told me to return with proof of residence and my birth certificate. When I went back, the system showed that I was not from SA,” he said.

When he attempted to retrieve his birth certificate, he discovered it had been lost during home renovations.

“I went back to the clinic where I was born, but they told me they couldn’t issue a new birth certificate,” said Phea.

His partner, Odete Mogabe, said the ordeal has been disheartening and exhausting for the family.

“I’m from Mozambique, but I gave birth in SA. Because George doesn’t have an ID, our children can’t go to school or access healthcare,” she explained.

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The situation worsened when Home Affairs officials allegedly Phea during one of his visits.

“At the Roodepoort Home Affairs office, he was accused of being a foreigner. They stripped and assaulted him while searching for what they called a ‘stamp’ on his body to prove he wasn’t South African,” he said.

He has since opened a case with the Public Protector.

The family is pleading for help, saying they cannot access basic services.

An enquiry was sent to the Department of Home Affairs on October 1, with questions on a way forward for Phea to receive help, with a follow-up on October 7, but no response was received at the time of publication.