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Their woes began in 2011 when Francis Manaka, 27, and her partner tried to register their marriage licence after their white wedding. They were told by the department that it was impossible to do so because Manaka's ID number had been blocked since she was sharing it with someone else.

"I was shocked because I had no problems with my ID before until 2011," Manaka said.

The disgruntled mother of one said she received her first ID in 2006, two years after she had applied.

Their gripe with the department is that they had received very little help. The frustrated couple said they had been to the department numerous times to try to sort the situation out to no avail.

"I have received three IDs with the same ID number that is blocked," Manaka said.

Manaka is unemployed and said that this situation was preventing her from finding a job. She also gets calls from companies claiming she owes them money.

"When I got a call from a clothing retail store saying I owed them money, I knew something was wrong and someone was using my ID number illegally," Manaka said.

Manaka's husband, who chose to remain anonymous, was worried that Manaka and their son would not be adequately provided for if anything were to happen to him.

Department spokeswoman Manusha Pillai, confirmed that there was a block on the ID due to a discrepancy with Manakas' first names but it had been removed.

She also denied the possibility of Manaka sharing an ID number with a male.

"The identity number is a female identity number - if the seventh digit is 0 to 4, it indicates the gender of the holder is female and if it is 5 to 9 it indicates the gender is male," she said.

She advised the couple to report suspected fraudulent activities with her ID to the police and promised that the department would resolve the issue by the end of last week. But when Manaka went to Home Affairs last week, there was still a block on her ID number.

"All we want is for this to be resolved, whether they lift this block or they issue me with a new ID number, but I want to forget about this ordeal," Manaka said.

Comments

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Fri May 24 12:20:19 SAST 2013 ::

Apr 13, 2012

tpaz

corrupt DoHA officials.

Bring Biometric IDs.......figure print on ID.
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Apr 13, 2012

LBS

Register as an illegal - I believe it is a 'same-day' service!

Only legitimate citizens get shafted by the Home Affairs incompetents!
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Apr 13, 2012

MommaC

Go b*y yourself a new ID. It will be quicker and cheaper than fighting with Horror Affairs.

Is our Minister still trying to sort this dysfunctional department out or is she still too busy running around trying to get elected for the AU?
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Apr 13, 2012

Underground

nawe ujahele ukuboshwa.. I mean ukushada.
patience there buddy usazozwa.. lol
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Apr 13, 2012

Juju-babe

HA dept is just a mess. My sister has been struggling with her ID as she was told that her ID number indicates that she is a male as it starts with a 5. since she is being trying to fix the mess and nothing is resolved. her life just stopped as she cannot do anything with that useless ID.
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