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Nightmares thanks to Home Affairs

Source: Plainsman, 01/01/1970


Dominique Hodges, her husband, Neville, and their children,
Julietta, 12, and Michael, 10, of Claremont, were looking forward
to their MSC cruise from Durban to Pomene, Mozambique.
However, their children’s unabridged birth certificates were not
accepted by immigration so the Hodges set sail without them,
leaving them with a friend.
Trying to get answers from Thabo Mokgola, a media spokesman at
DHA, is like pulling hen’s teeth.
Ms Hodges applied for unabridged birth certificates in 2006 when
it wasn’t “even a requirement”.
“We used them when we were immigrating to the UK. The information
is the same as on the ‘recent’ unabridged birth certificates. So
does this mean that my own birth certificate, 1974, is no longer
valid?
“Immigration refused to accept the unabridged certificates and
they would not allow my children to embark. I was devastated. I
booked the cruise two years ago and saved to pay for it, our
flights to Durban, accommodation and car. As a family we went
through a tough time and this was the first opportunity we had to
have a holiday together,” said Ms Hodges.
“The ‘go-to’ person at MSC was astounded at immigration’s decision
and she tried to reason with them to no avail. I thought the
purpose of unabridged birth certificates was to stop child
trafficking. Unabridged means both parents and the child’s details
are on the document: abridged means just the mother and child’s.
“We spent four hours at HA after we returned and they told us they
are not Immigration.
“We applied for ‘new certificates’ but the information is exactly
the same. HA just had to print them, we didn’t have to get new
ones because we had the originals. If I believed I had the wrong
documents I would have sorted it out immediately.
“HA said if Immigration had checked on the system they would have
seen the documents. Immigration told us the certificates didn’t
say unabridged but the ‘new’ ones don’t either. We have been
treated like abductors,” said Ms Hodges and added that MSC
refunded R1 800, the children’s portion of the fare.
When I asked Mr Mokgola if I could send the query to him he
replied: “Good day Brian, I have been out of the office, please do
send the enquiry to me.”
And despite several prompts Mr Mokgola ignored my requests for an
explanation, although he did ask for my phone number. Perhaps he
is still out of the office or standing in one of those
interminable queues at HA waiting to get an unabridged birth
certificate or a smart ID card.
Big Bay’s Linda and John Hansell have lived in South Africa for 46
years and though not South African citizens, they have always had
an SA ID book and a permanent residence number stamped in their
British passports by HA.
“When we received our new British passports we were told by HA
that we can no longer have permanent residency numbers stamped in
our passports and we have to apply for permanent resident
certificates to enable us to travel and to return to SA shores.
“Over the years we lost our certificates and as instructed by HA
applied online to VFS Global for new ones and paid R1 350. We had
a fixed appointment at VFS offices in Cape Town on October 30
2015.
“After a three-hour wait we paid R100, the HA fee and were told it
would take eight to 10 months and we would be notified when the
documents were ready. We repeated the process for my husband on
December 4 (2015). We did our applications separately to stagger
the costs as we are pensioners. VFS Global told us the same story.
“Now 28 months later we still don’t have our permanent resident
certificates,” Ms Hansell said.
“We are extremely worried as we are due to visit my daughter and
grandchildren this month (June). We saved hard for the trip and it
seems we have been ripped off paying R2900 for the certificates.
“I also heard that VFS Global is no longer doing work for HA and
all I get from VFS and HA is disinterest and apathy.
“I have repeatedly phoned VFS and get a recorded message requiring
me to select an option but no options come up and I am requested
to send an email. I can’t even get to talk to anyone. This has now
been going on for 30 months. Can you help?”
When I tried contacting VFS I got the same response as Ms Hansell.
Ms Hansell left for the UK on June 8 for three months and her
husband will join her on July 13.
I do hope they’re allowed back in to South Africa and not declared
undesirable citizens.
Cheryl Walton’s son who is getting married in Kuala Lumpur where
he works has been waiting for his unabridged birth certificate. He
needs it because he is getting married and it is a legal
requirement and he has been waiting since April 25 when he applied
for it while he was here on holiday.
Ms Walton who has a power of attorney has made countless phone
calls to Home Affairs and a visit to the Paarl office without
success. The answer is always, “It’s still in Pretoria.”
I didn’t bother to contact Mr Mokgola about Ms Hansell or Cheryl
Walton. I would have hit another brick wall.
It’s no wonder that young footballer, George Maskini is suing Home
Affairs. I hope he wins.


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