WeeklySA_AdminSTRANDED: Protesters say their identity documents were still blocked, despite a court judgment…
By Silver Sibiya
Hundreds of people marched on the Department of Home Affairs’ head office in Pretoria yesterday to demand that their identity documents be unblocked.
Some say they have been able to use their IDs for nearly two decades. The march was organised by the civic group Soil of Africa. Many of the protesters travelled overnight by bus from other provinces and slept outside the department’s offices.
The protesters said their identity documents were blocked without notice or reason. Without IDs, they are unable to access social grants, the health system, employment, and other services.
The department has said that they block ID numbers to prevent identity fraud and irregular migration. But the Gauteng High Court in 2024 declared it unconstitutional for the department to block IDs without notice, timeous investigation and appeal processes. About 700 000 people are affected by blocked IDs.
Protesters say that despite the court order, their IDs are still blocked. “This is inhumane, unconstitutional and unlawful,” reads a memorandum handed over to the department yesterday.
Samuel Shirindza said he was unable to get a job because his ID had been blocked. He was told by Home Affairs to get proof from his former primary school that he had gone there. He did this, but his ID is still blocked.
Another protester, Sam Sibiya, said his ID was blocked in 1998, and he was unable to register the births of his two children.
The department’s head of communications, Paseka Mokhethea, told the crowd, “The department is busy with the process of verification of the blocked IDs.”
“If we can unblock them without properly checking them, we may end up with people who are not supposed to receive them, especially those who are illegally in the country.”
Mokhethea said that verifying blocked IDs takes time, and the department needs to ensure no one gets an ID fraudulently. A response to the memorandum is expected within seven days.
The court ruling against the department on the matter came after a case brought by individuals and organisations like Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR) and LegalWise South Africa. The court found that blocking IDs without a fair administrative process, including notifying individuals and providing reasons for the block, is a violation of the Constitution.
The LHR has argued that the campaign to have the IDs unblocked was about, not only about its clients, but “the thousands of individuals whose rights are being violated by arbitrary and unconstitutional actions”. The failure to unblock IDs impacted the most vulnerable members of our society, exacerbating poverty, inequality, and exclusion, the advocacy group said.
Last year, the department gazetted a notice of its intent to cancel ID books and ID cards in South Africa for people whose ID numbers have been blocked.
At the time, Home Affairs Director-General Tommy Makhode said the decision was taken to cancel ID documents flagged for the following reasons:
• ID documents or cards issued to people whose names were not required in section 5 of the Identification Act to be included in the population register;
• ID documents or cards that did not correctly reflect the particulars to whom they were issued;
• ID documents or cards that were fraudulently obtained—in that false statements were made, and false information was provided at the time of application for or issuance of the documents; and
• ID documents or cards that were forged—in that the documents or cards that were lawfully issued to other people were stolen or otherwise unlawfully obtained or altered to reflect the names or images of someone not included in the population register.
Persons affected by the cancellation of their IDs were given 30 days from the publication of the gazette to provide a written response with reasons why their ID documents or cards should not be cancelled. It was not clear whether those who made representations to the department received assistance
“Should I not receive the requested written reasons or representations, I shall proceed to cancel the identity document or card accordingly,” Makhode said at the time. – GroundUp, BusinessTech, Weekly SA Mirror
MIRROR Briefs
MBEKI SLAMS ZILLE’S ARROGANCE
Former President Thabo Mbeki has slammed the Democratic Alliance withdrawal to participate in the National Dialogue, scheduled for August 15, 2025. The DA’s withdrawal followed the recent dismissal of its member, Andrew Whitfield, as Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
In an 11-page open letter addressed to DA leader John Steenhuisen, Mbeki described the party’s move as ‘misplaced and very strange indeed’.
Mbeki accused the DA leadership of political inconsistency, explaining why the Dialogue was legitimate and necessary. He described the party’s actions as both misguided and disrespectful to the South African public, dismissing the DA’s claim that the dialogue was merely an ANC election campaign platform. ‘’It is very good that, at last, Ms Helen Zille has openly expressed her eminently arrogant and contemptuous view of the masses of the people, that these cannot think and plan their future correctly, without the DA!,” said Mbeki. He added : “Whether I would agree with such a decision or not, I would have found it logical if you and the DA had decided to withdraw from the GNU. To the contrary, I consider the decision of the DA not to participate in the National Dialogue as both misplaced and very strange indeed.” – Lehlohonolo Lehana
HOMAGE PAID TO MABUZA
Parliament’s Presiding Officers — National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza and Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane — have expressed their condolences to former Deputy President David Mabuza’s family following his death last week.
The former Deputy President passed away in hospital following a short illness. He served as Deputy President between 2018 and 2023. “We pay homage to former Deputy President Mabuza, an exemplary leader and patriot, who dedicated his life to the service of our people. His passing is a profound loss not only to his family and comrades, but to the nation as a whole,” the Presiding Officers said in a statement.
Parliament hailed Mabuza’s role in “fostering better coordination between Parliament and the Executive” while he was Deputy President.
“He remained committed to parliamentary accountability, consistently availing himself to answer questions in the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces, and engaging in oversight processes with diligence and respect.
“In his capacity as Chairperson of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Land and Agriculture, he oversaw the implementation of key recommendations made by the Presidential Advisory Panel on Land Reform and Agriculture, appointed in 2018’’. Before joining Parliament, the former Deputy President served as Mpumalanga Premier and also as a Member of the Executive Council in that province. – SAnews
RECKLESS DRIVER CLAIMS FIVE LIVES
At least five people have died and several others injured in a tragic accident along the N3, just after Mariannhill Toll Plaza in Kwazulu-Natal.
The crash occurred just after 5:00 p.m. when a taxi collided with another vehicle before losing control and plunging down a steep embankment.
The taxi was trying to avoid a reckless Polo driver who may have contributed to the taxi driver losing control. The taxi plunged approximately 50 to 70 meters down a cliff, resulting in catastrophic damage. Emergency services, including ALS paramedics, responded swiftly to the scene.
“We can confirm that five people have tragically lost their lives in this incident. A further 13 individuals have sustained various injuries,” said Garrith Jamieson spokesperson for ALS paramedics. The injured passengers, some in serious condition, were rushed to hospitals around Durban for urgent medical treatment. The names of the deceased had not been disclosed until their next of kin had been identified. The exact cause of the crash was still under investigation. No arrests have been made. The ministry of transport has again warned motorists to respect the rules of the roads especially official speed limits to help save lives. – Lehlohonolo Lehana.
MEASLES OUTBREAK WARNING
The Fee State Health Department has issued an alert regarding a measles outbreak in the Lejweleputswa Nala (Bothaville) region of the province.
This comes after the confirmation of 64 cases of the viral infection in the areas of Nala, Masilonyana, Matjhabeng and Tswelopele. Individuals primarily currently affected by the outbreak were children between the ages of five and nine. “Measles is a highly contagious viral infection that can lead to serious health complications. It is crucial for parents and guardians to be vigilant and aware of the symptoms associated with measles,” spokesperson Mondli Mvambi said.
The following symptoms are associated with the viral infection: • Runny Nose • Red Rash • Feeling Tired • Cough • Fever • Conjunctivitis (Red Eyes)
“We urge all parents to ensure that their children are vaccinated against measles. The measles vaccine is safe and effective and is the best way to protect your child and the community from this disease,” Mvambi added.
Actions that could be taken included:
• Keep an eye on your child for any symptoms mentioned above.
• If symptoms develop, visit your healthcare provider as soon as possible.
• Ensure your child is up-to-date with their measles vaccinations. If you have questions about vaccination status, consult your clinic or healthcare provider.
• Share this information with other parents and caregivers in your community. – SAnews
