Dream trip at risk due to ID bungle

Source: Gabi Falanga – The Star, 13/08/2015

Johannesburg - Modise Molutsi could miss out on the trip of a lifetime
because of a Department of Home Affairs bungle in which his ID was
reportedly duplicated.


Last month, Molutsi`s employer, First National Bank, told him that
he`d been awarded a week-long trip to Dubai for outstanding
performance.


But when he went to apply for his passport, Molutsi was told his ID
was a duplicate and that he`d need to wait for a new one before he
could apply for a passport.


Although Molutsi`s date of birth, address and first names were exactly
the same in the duplicate ID on Home Affairs`s system, the surname is
slightly different, and so are the last few digits of the ID number.



"They gave me forms for the renouncing of my ID and told me to bring
my parents` IDs. I asked how long it would take but they never gave me
a straight answer. They said about 12 months," he said.


The Dubai trip is scheduled for September 14. "This trip is a once in
a lifetime (opportunity). I don`t know when I`ll be lucky enough
again," said the collections official, who has never been
overseas.


"For 10 years I have been slaving away and I just thank God for giving
me a break. I won`t let it pass me by."


Molutsi applied for his first ID book in 2000 when he was in matric.
The ID book never arrived, and in 2002 he applied for and received his
current ID book.


"I`ve been using this ID and never had a problem.
"Because I work for a bank, they do credit and ID checks and they`ve
never (picked up) a problem. I don`t understand why I can`t apply for
a passport now."


Home Affairs spokesman Mayihlome Tshwete explained that when an ID was
duplicated, officials blocked the document in order to investigate the
problem.


"There`s good intentions behind it… if there`s a duplication, the
department holds the ID and tries to get to the bottom of it. Our
preliminary investigation has revealed that (Molutsi`s) fingerprints
do indeed match both ID numbers."


He promised to personally follow up on Molutsi`s case. "I`m going to
take those details and forward them to our counter-corruption and
civics office and will personally try to make sure that something
takes place in this case… I apologise on behalf of the department for
any inconvenience."


Tshwete said improvements, such as using biometrics and keeping
fingerprints on the Home Affairs system, would make it harder for
identities to be stolen or duplicated.


In cases like Molutsi`s, the Home Affairs office involved was obliged
to assist the client with any problems they were experiencing in
acquiring documents.


Molutsi is desperately holding thumbs that the issue will be resolved
in time for him to get his passport and to apply for a visa for his
dream trip.
The Star