The right to take part in the next general elections for those who can't afford to pay the fee of R140 for replacement of lost identity document (ID) hangs in the balance.
The right to take part in the next general elections for those who can't afford to pay the fee of R140 for replacement of lost identity document (ID) hangs in the balance.
Home Affairs remained unrelenting this week, insisting that they must pay up.
Speaking to Grocott's Mail, branch manager Xolile Sibhejele said paying a fee when re-applying for an ID is a lawful practice which applies to everyone.
An exception to this rule is those who have lost their IDs due to natural disasters.
"You have to pay if you have lost it due to carelessness. These include people who take their IDs to loan sharks and use them as an assurance, then end up losing it in that process,” Sibhejele said.
Sibhejele said if the person loses the ID due to unforeseen incidences such as a fire or floods, Home Affairs "then waives the fee part, in that case".
He said they make a special application to the Provincial Head of Home Affairs, who then makes the decision.
Sibejele urged anyone with a similar problem to visit their offices where he said necessary arrangements would be made.
Ntuthu Blow, Programmes Officer at GADRA Advice and Community work, a Grahamstown-based, non-governmental organisation offering social welfare services for the poor, said her office has been visited by people who can't afford to pay for lost IDs, looking for help.
Blow said it was an infringement of basic human rights for a person to be denied an ID due to a lack of funds.
With less than 40 days until the fourth democratic elections, the voting future of those with missing IDs hangs in the balance.
