Home Affairs intervenes to assist HIV-positive woman get ID for antiretrovirals

The department of home affairs has undertaken to intervene in the plight of a 57-year-old unemployed, HIV-positive Soweto woman who, for the past four years, has been battling to acquire a South African identity document.

According to nephew Moeketsi Mokoena, Miriam Shongwe spent most of her adult life exiled in Botswana, where her children were born.

But when she returned to SA four years ago, she has struggled to obtain the green, barcoded identity document needed to find employment and antiretrovirals (ARVs) from public hospitals to treat her deteriorating health condition.

“She left this country 30 years ago and when she returned, she did not have proper documents and could not be assisted by the department of home affairs,” said Mokoena.

“All she had was a letter from government authorities in Botswana requesting that she be assisted in South Africa.

“We then managed to trace the hospital where she was born and the school she attended. We gave these to home affairs officials.

“But the past four years has seen her suffering from stress as she was sent from pillar to post, without being issued a South African identity document. “The officials wanted proof that she was indeed born in SA, which we provided,” he added.

“We complied with everything they needed to process her identity document application but four years later, we are still waiting.”

Mokoena described Shongwe’s situation as being “more than stressful”.

“She is an elderly person who is HIV positive and due to being without an identity document, she cannot be given the necessary ARVs to treat her health condition.

“She also finds it hard to get employment without an identity document,” said Mokoena. Responding to Shongwe’s plea for help, department of home affairs spokesperson Siya Qoza said he would take the matter up with the Gauteng office.

“It is a pity that you are talking to me about this on a Sunday, but rest assured that come Monday morning, this matter will be addressed,” said Qoza.

– brians@citizen.co.za

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