Dear Mr Editor
I am not so sure if you can be in a position to assist and publish the above-mentioned matter.
1. In 2019 Ms Mabena applied for an ID with a correct year of birth at the Boksburg Department of Home Affairs, but up to now, her application is yet to be processed.
2. Numerous follow-ups to the Department of Home Affairs in that regard by emails and even Ms Mabena going there in person have been unsuccessful.
3. She was born on February 16, 1959, but her current ID states that she was born on February 6, 1967. As a result, she cannot access a social grant as the current ID is stating that she is 54 years old, thus too young to access the grant.
4. In 2019 she sent an email to the Boksburg offices but was told that she had to bring proof that she was born earlier than the dates on her current. A few weeks later after sending those documents as requested; she was told she must keep on following up on the matter.
5. After making such follow-ups in person, including my emails to DHA in 2019, we were told that her application had been sent to Pretoria.
6. After the Covid-19 pandemic had struck the country and the resultant lockdown regulations; she could no longer go there in person. I, however, kept making such follow-ups. But unfortunately, no one bothered to respond.
7. In January this year she made a follow up in person, but to her surprise, she was told that she need to re-submit such documents.
Due to financial constraint from her side, I decided to resubmit her documents (ID copies of her children, affidavits, etc.) and ask the DHA if that would be sufficient enough or would they require original documents.
Up to now, they have failed to respond to those emails; including subsequent follow-ups.
8. In order not to delay her application, she managed to get some money and went to Boksburg to resubmit her documents. Unfortunately for her, she was told that due to Covid-19 her application would be delayed. I am not so sure how this is even possible.
9. I then went back to the DHA in Boksburg and copied their regional and provincial office asking as to why they can treat her in this manner.
10. The question is what happened to the documents she submitted in 2019? Is the DHA aware that currently Ms Mabena’s right to social security as stipulated in Section 27(c) of the Bill of Rights is being violated?
It states that everyone has the right to have access to social security, including, if they are unable to support themselves and their dependents, appropriate social assistance.
And sub-section (2) of Section 27 states that: “The state must take reasonable legislative and other measures, within its available resources, to achieve the progressive realisation of each of these rights”.
11. Two years later; the DHA has failed to “…take reasonable legislative and other measures, within its available resources, to achieve the progressive realisation of each of these rights”. I hope you will be in a position to assist and publish the story and help Ms Mabena to fulfil her right to social security as explained above.
Sipho Buthelezi
