ID theft brings man’s life to a halt

When 38-year-old former taxi driver Nkosinathi Innocent Zungu, of Magagula Heights (southeast of Kathorus) lost his identity document in 2000, he didn’t think much of it. He simply drove to the old Home Affairs offices in Germiston and applied for a new one.

However, when he tried to cast his vote during the 2014 general elections, IEC officials at the Zonkizizwe polling station told him that his name was not on the local voter’s roll. They said his ID number was registered in Kwa-Nyamazane in Mpumalanga. “I was shocked,” recalled Zungu, who described the incident as “the beginning of the end” of his life.

Born and raised in Ladysmith in KZN and speaking from his shack in Magagula Heights, the now desperate and unemployed Zungu told Kathorus MAIL that since then, his life has been brought to a virtual standstill. Zungu said living became even more difficult and complicated when Germiston Home Affairs informed him that, according to their official records, his lost ID had actually been cloned and that he was sharing the missing ID document with someone in Mpumalanga.

Soon thereafter, Zungu said two large amounts totalling R6 800 were mysteriously withdrawn from his bank account via an ATM in Mpumalanga within a month. And over a period of 18 months, the rest of what was left in his bank account was soon depleted. “But strangely enough, I still receive SMS notifications about dishonoured debits which I can’t pay because I am unable to find a job without an ID book.”

Because of the ID book mix-up, Zungu said Home Affairs asked him to submit a certified copy of his birth certificate, together with copies of his parents’ marriage certificate, documents attesting his schooling and proof of residence. “I have managed to obtain all of these documents and I have submitted them and they (Home Affairs) are now the ones who are dragging their feet in issuing me with a new ID document,” complained Zungu, who said the delay has placed him in a dilemma as he can’t find work or feed his family.

Zungu explained that his problems worsened soon after he bought a 2002 Audi sedan in 2015. His application to have the vehicle registered in his name was rejected by the Vehicle Licensing Department. “They said I first had to settle outstanding traffic fines for two other vehicles they said I also owned. I was surprised because this was my very first car and I had never owned a motor vehicle before,” said Zungu, who ended up paying a total of R2 300 in fines in order to have his new car finally registered in his name.

And when his wife gave birth to their now 8-month-old daughter at the Thelle Mogoerane Hospital in Vosloorus, Zungu, told Kathorus MAIL that the couple was unable to have the newborn registered in their family name. “I was forced to use my wife’s surname to have the baby’s birth registered,” he said.

The frustrated and desperate young father said his list of endless ID problems have been compounded by his inability to earn a living and feed his family. “I am unable find work and provide for my family because as far as the Department of Home Affairs is concerned, Nkosinathi Innocent Zungu, who is me – does not exist.”

Kathorus MAIL attempted to contact the Department of Home Affairs about this matter but no comment had been received at the time of going to press.