Vusi Ndlovu

Vusi Ndlovu

Thulani Ndlovu of Swanieville on the West Rand has been told that he cannot have an ID "because he has two mothers".

"They told me my two mothers were a problem," Ndlovu said. "They asked me to prove that I had only one mother.

"I started applying for an ID in Krugersdorp in 1997. But I was told I could not have an ID because I have two mothers.

"My mother made an affidavit and I submitted it to the department - but it still did not work."

Ndlovu, 31, says he has been to various Home Affairs offices and submitted all documents required to obtain an ID.

Ndlovu, a painter, says the situation has put his life on hold because he cannot secure a permanent job.

"I got a number of jobs," he says. "One was in Cape Town, one in Northcliff and another in Alberton, but I was turned down because I could not produce an ID. I cannot even apply for a house."

Ndlovu says on one occasion he was told that his ID number had been issued but was being used by another person.

"In 1999 I was told to start the application process all over again. I don't know what to do now. I have been to the Department of Home Affairs offices in Krugersdorp, Roodepoort, Johannesburg and Pretoria but I cannot get help."

Ndlovu, a father of two, says the situation has forced him to live with his in-laws because he can't have a house.

Home Affairs spokesman Mantshele Tau says: "I will get the head office to attend to the matter. I can understand the frustrations the man is going through."