The short answer
Home Affairs now has a system where you can check the status of your application by SMS.
The whole question
I am a 25-year-old male. I matriculated in 2013. From 2014 to 2016 I studied at a TVET College. I never knew my parents. I was brought up by guardians.
In 2022 applied for an ID. It never arrived and I wrote my matric with my duplicate. When I followed up, Home Affairs said I must re-apply, but did not say why. I applied again but have still not received an ID.
Now I can't get a job because I have not got an ID.
The long answer
Thank you for your email about not getting your ID after applying twice – a horribly frustrating business.
Home Affairs now has a system where you can check the status of your application by SMS. You send an SMS to 32551 with the letters ID, followed by a space, followed by your ID number.
You can also contact them by email: hacc@dha.gov.za .If that doesn’t come up with anything, maybe you should just cut your losses and start again.
You have to hand in your completed application form in person at your nearest Home Affairs office. Home Affairs says that it has radically cut down the time it takes to get your ID in the post. They say allow two weeks from the date of your application to get your photo ID.