South Africans whose identity documents were blocked before November 2022 have just over a month to visit a Home Affairs office or risk having their ID numbers permanently cancelled.
The Department of Home Affairs launched a nationwide campaign this week to assist affected individuals in resolving their blocked IDs and ensuring the integrity of the National Population Register.
More than two million identity numbers remain blocked, though the department has already unblocked 2 202 368 cases to date.
According to the department, affected individuals must visit any Home Affairs office, excluding refugee reception centres and banks, to submit written and oral representations by 10 July. The deadline applies to all IDs blocked under Section 19 of the Identification Act, including duplicates and cases requiring status verification.
“In accordance with section 3 of the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act of 2000, affected individuals are invited to submit representations explaining why their identity numbers should be unblocked,” the department said in a statement.
Failure to appear in person with the required documentation may result in permanent cancellation of the affected identity numbers.
What documents to bring
Applicants should bring supporting documentation where available, including original birth certificates or handwritten birth certificates, original clinic cards or confirmation of birth, copies of hospital registers, parents’ identity documents or death certificates, primary school extracts, house permits or letters from traditional authorities, and affidavits from parents or the original informant.
Any other documentation that may assist in confirming identity, citizenship or legal status should also be brought along.
When IDs may be cancelled
The department warned that identity documents or records may be cancelled during the investigation process if they were issued to individuals who do not qualify for inclusion in the National Population Register, contain incorrect personal particulars, were obtained through fraud or false statements, or have been forged, altered, stolen or unlawfully manipulated.
IDs may also be cancelled if affected persons fail to visit front offices in person with the required supporting documents.
The department has urged all affected individuals to respond promptly and use this opportunity to regularise their status.
Further information on blocked IDs is available at: https://www.dha.gov.za/index.php/civic-services/blocked-ids-26
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