Tshwane is facing a crisis as protests erupt over the Department of Home Affairs' blocking of South African identity documents. The civil movement Soil of Africa is leading the charge, demanding the immediate release of IDs they claim have been wrongfully blocked, impacting livelihoods and access to essential services.
What's Happening?
Scores of protestors have disrupted services at Home Affairs offices in Pretoria CBD, blocking entrances and demanding answers. The protests stem from the department's action of blocking at least 2 million IDs flagged for potential fraud. However, many individuals claim their IDs were blocked without explanation, causing significant hardship.
A Personal Struggle
Moses Mabuza, one of the protestors, shared his plight: his ID was blocked in 2015, preventing him from accessing his retirement money. "I can not get my money from the bank since my retirement. It is also blocked. Please, I am suffering," he lamented.
Soil of Africa Takes Action
Soil of Africa, led by regional convener Joseph Maake, alleges that corruption within the department is the root cause of the problem. Maake claims that individuals are being asked for bribes of R50,000 to have their IDs unblocked. He also alleges that protestors were told to join the ANC if they wanted their identity documents unblocked.
"One point two million people have blocked IDs. However, when they inquire about them, R50,000 is demanded from them," says Maake.
Legal Battles and Promises
The issue of blocked IDs has been ongoing for some time. In January of last year, the Pretoria High Court ruled that the Department of Home Affairs had failed to follow proper procedure when blocking the IDs, following a legal challenge by human rights lawyers. The court ordered the department to re-legitimise the blocked IDs and grant affected individuals an opportunity to make representations.
Home Affairs Deputy Director-General, Thomas Sigama, has promised protestors that the process of lifting blocks on IDs will be expedited. However, protestors remain skeptical and are demanding concrete action and accountability from the Minister of Home Affairs.