This initiative forms part of the department’s broader strategy to combat identity fraud, which has plagued the system for decades. The public has been urged to send their submissions to Sylvia Phasha at Sylvia.Phasha@dha.gov.za, with the department committing to a fair and transparent process.
In addition to the gazette publication, the Department of Home Affairs has also embarked on an extensive social media campaign to ensure that the public is fully informed about the opportunity to make representations. This move is seen as a necessary step to rectify wrongful blocks and to identify and cancel IDs held by unauthorised individuals.
The issue of blocked IDs is not a new one. Some IDs were blocked as far back as 2005 due to a variety of reasons. These reasons include instances where the biometric system flagged the IDs as duplicates, where the documents were suspected to be held by illegal immigrants, or in cases where the ID holder had reportedly passed away. However, it has become apparent over the years that some IDs were wrongfully blocked, causing significant inconvenience to legitimate holders.
Minister of Home Affairs, Leon Schreiber, highlighted the importance of this initiative in ensuring justice and fairness in the administrative process. “I encourage members of the public to make use of this opportunity to ensure that we conduct a just and equitable process to unblock IDs that have been wrongfully blocked,” Schreiber stated.
The department’s decision to publish the list and invite public input is also in response to a court order issued earlier this year. The court had mandated the department to implement a fair administrative process to distinguish between wrongfully blocked IDs and those that pose genuine security risks.
The Home Affairs Department’s actions come at a time when identity fraud is a growing concern in South Africa. Fraudulent IDs have been linked to various criminal activities, including illegal voting, financial fraud, and the unlawful acquisition of government services. By inviting public input and rigorously verifying the status of blocked IDs, the department aims to significantly reduce the number of fraudulent documents in circulation.
The department’s proactive approach includes a sustained social media presence to raise awareness among affected individuals. This approach is expected to reach a broader audience, especially those who may not have access to the government gazette but are active on platforms such as X (formerly known as Twitter), Facebook, and other social media networks.
For those whose IDs have been wrongfully blocked, this initiative offers a chance to restore their rightful status. The department has assured that every submission will be carefully reviewed, with the aim of balancing security concerns with the rights of individuals to hold valid identification.
Furthermore, this initiative is not only about rectifying past errors but also about reinforcing the integrity of South Africa’s identity system. By cancelling IDs that are found to be fraudulent, the department is taking a firm stand against identity theft and fraud, which have had far-reaching implications for national security and the economy.
In closing, Minister Schreiber reiterated the department’s commitment to resolving these issues swiftly and effectively. “The gazetting of these decisive measures underscores our commitment to clamp down on fraud, and to move with urgency to resolve longstanding challenges while upholding the rule of law,” he said.