Penwell Dlamini
Penwell Dlamini
Lerato Ngobeni's life has been put on hold because the Department of Home Affairs has given her identity document (ID) to someone else with the same name and number.
"My life has been halted by this other Lerato whom I do not know," the 18-year-old said. "I cannot even open a bank account.
"I finished matric last year but I cannot go to college because I do not have an ID."
The Lenasia teenager said she first applied for an ID in January last year. But after being shunted around several times by Home Affairs they eventually told her that another Lerato Ngobeni, with the same ID number, had collected the document in October.
She said she applied again at Orlando West but was still waiting.
"I am the real Lerato Ngobeni," she insists. "Home Affairs should give me my identity document."
Home Affairs spokesman Mantshele Tau said ID duplication was common when people shared names and birthdays.
"We have software called 'track and trace'. We are investigating Lerato's case and will report back soon."
Double trouble with ID
Penwell Dlamini
Penwell Dlamini
Lerato Ngobeni's life has been put on hold because the Department of Home Affairs has given her identity document (ID) to someone else with the same name and number.
"My life has been halted by this other Lerato whom I do not know," the 18-year-old said. "I cannot even open a bank account.
"I finished matric last year but I cannot go to college because I do not have an ID."
The Lenasia teenager said she first applied for an ID in January last year. But after being shunted around several times by Home Affairs they eventually told her that another Lerato Ngobeni, with the same ID number, had collected the document in October.
She said she applied again at Orlando West but was still waiting.
"I am the real Lerato Ngobeni," she insists. "Home Affairs should give me my identity document."
Home Affairs spokesman Mantshele Tau said ID duplication was common when people shared names and birthdays.
"We have software called 'track and trace'. We are investigating Lerato's case and will report back soon."