Woman still waits for a passport a year after applying for it

Ms Elizabeth Maisela claims that she applied for a passport in March last year (2021) at the local Home Affairs office in eMalahleni.

She said she was told that the passport will be ready in three or four weeks’ time. Instead, she was issued with an ID card which she already have; now she has two ID cards.

“I paid the amount of R140 for the ID card and R400 for the passport application,” Maisela said.

She went to check for her passport application and was told she will be informed via an SMS about her application.

She waited and again went to check and was told that the photos taken were not clear and has to be taken again.

“I was told again that I will be informed via an SMS, but again no SMS and no passport. When I went to check again, I was told that according to their records at the Home Affairs my passport was blocked, that is why it could not be issued, but no solution to the problem was provided. My problem is that I was supposed to go to eSwatini on Friday, March 25 for a family gathering as the trip was postponed last year due to Covid-19 regulations. I was also told that I have to pay money for an emergency passport which I do not have,” explained Maisela.

Mr Sello Selekane, manager at the local office of Home Affairs says there was a problem identified by the department and it looks that there might have been a change in surname, but they were going to investigate the matter and called Ms Maisela to his office to do a new application.

Mr Selekane added to say that they are no longer issuing emergency passports.

Read More:

https://www.citizen.co.za/witbank-news/151520/angry-frustrated-clients-department-home-affairs-2/

https://www.citizen.co.za/witbank-news/129389/protest-home-affairs/

Share your news tips via: Telephone: 013 656 2490 WhatsApp: 060 866 8682 Email: info@witbanknews.co.za Or follow us on WITBANK NEWS platforms: Instagram, Twitter Witbank News App Facebook page Witbank News Breaking