South Africans who have had their identity documents blocked have less than 48 hours to contest the status, the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) said on Thursday, issuing a “last and final call”.

The deadline, set for July 10, marks the end of a long-standing administrative investigation into flagged identity numbers and cards, with the department warning that failure to act will result in permanent cancellation.

The DHA said the notice was issued under the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act and focuses on identity records flagged before November 2022.

This includes duplicate files, records linked to potential illegal immigrants, and citizens of Namibia (previously South West Africa).

In June, the department called on affected individuals to submit representations under Section 3 of the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act (PAJA), explaining why their identity numbers should be unblocked.

For affected citizens, the process to clear their status is demanding. To contest the block, individuals are invited to visit any Home Affairs front office in person to provide both written and oral representations explaining why their documents should remain valid.

The department has issued a clear list of supporting evidence required to expedite the resolution of these status issues.

Applicants are urged to bring the following, where applicable:

• Original Birth certificate/handwritten birth certificate.
• Original Clinic Card/Confirmation of birth.
• Copy of Hospital Register/proof of birth.
• Parents’ IDs/Reference book or Death Certificate.
• Primary School extract and a copy of the School Register.
• House Permit or a Letter from the Tribal Authority.
• Affidavit from parents/informant and copy of the informant’s ID.
• Any other document that proves your identity or legal status.

The department reiterated that if people fail to submit their supporting documents within this period, the department will proceed with the cancellation of their identity numbers without further notice.

In June, the department said more than 2.2 million IDs have already been restored through ongoing verification processes.

“To date, 2,202,368 identity numbers have been unblocked,” the department said at the time.

Individuals whose identity numbers are blocked must visit any Home Affairs office, excluding refugee reception centres and banks, to make written and oral submissions before the deadline.

The department said the blocks were imposed under Section 19 of the Identification Act (Act 68 of 1997), including cases of duplicate identity numbers and instances requiring verification of citizenship or legal status.

At the time, the department warned that identity records may be cancelled where investigations find they were obtained fraudulently, contain incorrect personal details, were altered unlawfully, or belong to individuals not eligible for inclusion in the National Population Register.

nokubonga.ndlovu@inl.co.za

IOL NEWS

South Africans who have had their identity documents blocked have less than 48 hours to contest the status, the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) said on Thursday, issuing a “last and final call”.

The deadline, set for July 10, marks the end of a long-standing administrative investigation into flagged identity numbers and cards, with the department warning that failure to act will result in permanent cancellation.

The DHA said the notice was issued under the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act and focuses on identity records flagged before November 2022.

This includes duplicate files, records linked to potential illegal immigrants, and citizens of Namibia (previously South West Africa).

In June, the department called on affected individuals to submit representations under Section 3 of the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act (PAJA), explaining why their identity numbers should be unblocked.

For affected citizens, the process to clear their status is demanding. To contest the block, individuals are invited to visit any Home Affairs front office in person to provide both written and oral representations explaining why their documents should remain valid.

The department has issued a clear list of supporting evidence required to expedite the resolution of these status issues.

Applicants are urged to bring the following, where applicable:

• Original Birth certificate/handwritten birth certificate.
• Original Clinic Card/Confirmation of birth.
• Copy of Hospital Register/proof of birth.
• Parents’ IDs/Reference book or Death Certificate.
• Primary School extract and a copy of the School Register.
• House Permit or a Letter from the Tribal Authority.
• Affidavit from parents/informant and copy of the informant’s ID.
• Any other document that proves your identity or legal status.

The department reiterated that if people fail to submit their supporting documents within this period, the department will proceed with the cancellation of their identity numbers without further notice.

In June, the department said more than 2.2 million IDs have already been restored through ongoing verification processes.

“To date, 2,202,368 identity numbers have been unblocked,” the department said at the time.

Individuals whose identity numbers are blocked must visit any Home Affairs office, excluding refugee reception centres and banks, to make written and oral submissions before the deadline.

The department said the blocks were imposed under Section 19 of the Identification Act (Act 68 of 1997), including cases of duplicate identity numbers and instances requiring verification of citizenship or legal status.

At the time, the department warned that identity records may be cancelled where investigations find they were obtained fraudulently, contain incorrect personal details, were altered unlawfully, or belong to individuals not eligible for inclusion in the National Population Register.

nokubonga.ndlovu@inl.co.za

IOL NEWS