Why does ID take so long at Home Affairs?
2005-03-24
ON 27 July last year, my son applied for his identity document, having produced all the relevant documentation and the required finger-prints. On enquiring how long it would take, he was told 3 to 4 months.
After the four months had elapsed enquiries were made at Home Affairs in Paarl as to whether the document had been processed only to be told that it would take at least another two months and with Christmas coming up it could take even longer.
Seven months later the ID has still not been processed and once again on enquiry, an official informed us that telephoning Pretoria to where the applications are sent, is ‘a waste of time’ as they do not answer their telephone.
My own ID and driver's licence were recently stolen and I had to apply to have them replaced - once again Home Affairs said it would take at least three months for the ID to be processed.
After five weeks I now have my replacement driver's licence - why does it take Home Affairs such an interminably long time to process a document, which is so necessary as a form of identification when any business is transacted?
I have had no satisfactory answer from Home Affairs regarding the length of time it is taking for my son’s ID to be produced - surely it should not take seven months (and still waiting) to get an identity document. An answer from a senior member of Home Affairs would be appreciated.
Elaine Pettipher
Paarl South
Nkosana Sibuya, spokesman for Home Affairs, replies:
On 1 October the application was referred for determination of citizenship, which took some time. Thereafter it was returned for ID processing.
We are trying to expedite the application.
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