No ID for Clermont woman (60)

THE excitement of a 60-year-old Clermont woman getting her ID turned into a big disappointment when she was told that she is not a South African citizen.

Highway Mail reported about the pain and suffering of Simangele Mavundla who has led her whole life without an identity document.

Mavundla said she had high hopes after Home Affairs contacted her last Friday and told her they will be fetching her to apply for her ID on Monday.

“I had everything ready, proof of address that I got from the councillor’s offices and the R20 I was told to bring for photos.

“When I got to the Home Affairs in Pinetown, I filled all the forms, they took my fingerprints and photos. I was so happy because I thought I was done with the process and finally my wish was going to come true and I will be able to vote this year.”

Mavundla said she was assessed and they told her that they will continue with her application next week because her parents are from Lesotho.

“I have lived in South Africa my whole life, this is the only country I know, I really do not understand why the fact that my parents are from Lesotho is relevant to my application.

“I do not even know my parents. I was told that they passed away when I was two-years-old in a car accident and my father worked in the mines. I was raised by my aunt. I learnt later on that she was my aunt and not my biological mother,” said Mavundla.

She said what worries her the most is that her son also does not have an ID.

“I have had a hard life, which means he will also suffer like me and not get a proper job.”

Ronny Perumal, office manager at Pinetown Home Affairs said Mavundla was interviewed on Monday.

“She confirmed that both her parents were Lesotho citizens but she was born in South Africa. This unfortunately means that she is not a South African citizen and will have to be referred to immigration for their assessment. She will be referred to immigration next week,” said Perumal.

Woman (60) struggles to get an ID