Cape Town — The Department of Home Affairs has (DHA) has failed to implement a court ruling that instructed it to release identity documents (ID) that were blocked on fraud suspicions.
In January, a judgement was handed down that declared Home Affairs blocking more than 700 000 IDs was unlawful because the department did not follow proper procedure. The Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR), which represented more than 100 people, claimed none of its clients’ IDs had been unblocked in the stipulated 90 days, The Citizen reported.
LHR’s Thandeka Chauke said the clients were frsutrated as the 90 dyas period has lapsed adn they had received no comkunications from the department.
“The department’s failure to comply with the court order is a blatant disregard for human rights and the rule of law. This unlawful practice has left our clients, many of whom are already vulnerable, in a state of limbo,” Chauke said.
📢 South Africans are still reaching out to us because their #IDs are #blocked! We made a booklet that gives advice, which is now available in four new SA languages.
Get it here in the language of your choice, and share with anyone you know is struggling: https://t.co/gR0ESkztb8 pic.twitter.com/jmW8s3JwTY
— Lawyers for Human Rights (@LHR_SA) March 19, 2024
“The department must take immediate action to rectify this gross injustice and stop the administrative violence,” Chauke said.
Maria Sewelana, 76, went to the DHA offices in Soweto, hoping to collect her ID but instead was given a letter notifying her that she was being investigated.
“I thought as the court ordered it would be unblocked while officials continued with the investigation. We are not saying they should stop doing their job, but blocking my ID because I am suspected does not make sense.” she said.
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
