Home Affairs tackles ID book and card fraud

The Department of Home Affairs is launching a significant campaign to combat identity fraud by targeting fraudulent ID books and cards.

This initiative not only aims to rectify wrongful ID blockages that have plagued citizens for years but also seeks to clamp down on the use of fraudulent documents by unauthorised individuals.

Public call to action against ID books and cards fraud

The Department of Home Affairs is urging anyone who currently possesses a blocked ID to come forward. In a recent government gazette notice, the department requested these individuals to submit written reasons within 30 days explaining why their IDs should not be cancelled. The submissions are to be directed to Sylvia Phasha at the department, via email at Sylvia.Phasha@dha.gov.za.

The department will also bolster this initiative with a sustained social media campaign, designed to inform the public about their right to make representations. This outreach effort is part of a larger strategy to ensure that the process is fair and transparent, giving everyone affected an opportunity to have their case heard.

Addressing decades-old problems

Some of the blocked IDs date back as far as 2005, with reasons ranging from duplication in the biometric system to suspicions of being held by illegal immigrants or even belonging to deceased individuals. By providing a platform for the public to make representations, Home Affairs intends to correct these wrongful blockages while simultaneously cancelling IDs that have been used fraudulently.

The Department’s efforts follow a court order from earlier this year that mandated a fair administrative process to distinguish between wrongfully blocked IDs and those that represent legitimate security concerns.

Minister’s statement

Minister Leon Schreiber expressed the importance of public participation in this process, stating, “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.”

He added, “At the same time, 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.”

As Home Affairs takes these significant steps, the onus is now on affected individuals to act fast and present their cases. This initiative serves as a crucial opportunity for those with legitimate claims to clear their names and regain access to their identity documents, while ensuring that fraudulent IDs are effectively removed from circulation.