Elderly woman shares ID application nightmare
Patricia Booth applied for her ID in 2015 but has not received it, almost three years later.
THE waiting period for an ID document has taken its toll on an elderly Pinetown woman who applied for her Identity Document in 2015.
Patricia Booth (74), who was born in the UK but moved to South Africa in 1972, has endured many difficulties in her life. She watched her husband, who was her best friend, slowly fading away and succumbing to his illness.
“After that I have had people take advantage of me and I lost thousands of Rands which resulted in my post traumatic stress disorder, (PTSD) and this ID issue is the added stress I do not need in my life.
Booth applied for her ID at Chatsworth Home Affairs. “I was too scared to go the Pinetown offices as people get mugged there and I am on old lady who is an easy target.
“I went to Chatsworth; filled in the forms; they took my fingerprints and submitted everything they needed. At first, they printed a document with my maiden name even though I had given them my marriage certificate,” she said.
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Another time, she was called and told to see a staff member at the home affairs offices, but when she got there, she was told the person was in Pietermaritzburg.
“I have been following this up with no way forward. I have even asked my financial adviser to assist me. Sometimes we are told they are working on it and other times, that I should take it up with their marriage department.”
Booth said she does not understand why she has to chase them and go back to their marriage department because she originally submitted all the documents needed. “Just recently, I was told they are checking some information in the UK, why now? I have a South African permanent residence permit.”
Not having an ID document is depriving Booth of a South African pension. I have a flat which I own, but I can not get discounts on rates as I earn an English pension.
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“I cannot even visit the UK because I won’t be able to spend any money,” said Booth.
She added she has an ID number which makes her more frustrated as Home Affairs just needs to print her document.
The Highway Mail asked Home Affairs for an explanation but there was no response at the time of going to print.
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