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S Africa probes ID card suicide S Africa probes ID card suicide
(10 minutes later)
The South African government is investigating the suicide of a young man who was refused the identity documents he needed to start a job.The South African government is investigating the suicide of a young man who was refused the identity documents he needed to start a job.
A local official reportedly refused to issue the papers to Skhumbuzo Mhlongo, 22, accusing him of being a foreigner.A local official reportedly refused to issue the papers to Skhumbuzo Mhlongo, 22, accusing him of being a foreigner.
In the absence of his parents, he was looking after his four siblings.In the absence of his parents, he was looking after his four siblings.
The case prompted Home Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma to break down in tears at a press conference. She suspects the official wanted a bribe.The case prompted Home Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma to break down in tears at a press conference. She suspects the official wanted a bribe.
There are thousands of other citizens who on a daily basis face the same disgraceful treatment from public servants across all departments Juanita TerblancheDemocratic AllianceThere are thousands of other citizens who on a daily basis face the same disgraceful treatment from public servants across all departments Juanita TerblancheDemocratic Alliance
She said she "would leave no stone unturned" in the investigation into the identity of the official.She said she "would leave no stone unturned" in the investigation into the identity of the official.
The BBC's Pumza Fihlani in Johannesburg says the Department of Home Affairs has come under heavy criticism over the years for its inefficiency in issuing ID documents, birth certificates and passports, with some people claiming to have waited up to four years.The BBC's Pumza Fihlani in Johannesburg says the Department of Home Affairs has come under heavy criticism over the years for its inefficiency in issuing ID documents, birth certificates and passports, with some people claiming to have waited up to four years.
She points out it would be even more difficult to obtain the documents if you have no parents to vouch for your identity.She points out it would be even more difficult to obtain the documents if you have no parents to vouch for your identity.
Suicide noteSuicide note
A senior delegation from the Department of Home Affairs has visited the office in Pinetown, KwaZulu-Natal province, where his demand was rejected.A senior delegation from the Department of Home Affairs has visited the office in Pinetown, KwaZulu-Natal province, where his demand was rejected.
Mr Mhlongo had been due to start the new job at a factory which manufactures bird food on Monday.Mr Mhlongo had been due to start the new job at a factory which manufactures bird food on Monday.
He apparently left a suicide note before hanging himself.He apparently left a suicide note before hanging himself.
Home Affairs spokesman Ronnie Mampoepa told the BBC that Mhlongo had been raised by his mother, who disappeared in 2000, leaving him to care for his younger siblings.Home Affairs spokesman Ronnie Mampoepa told the BBC that Mhlongo had been raised by his mother, who disappeared in 2000, leaving him to care for his younger siblings.
He had apparently been trying to get an ID card for some time without any luck.He had apparently been trying to get an ID card for some time without any luck.
"He did not have parents. He was the eldest in his family and needed the ID to secure a job as he was the sole bread-winner," said Mr Mamoepa."He did not have parents. He was the eldest in his family and needed the ID to secure a job as he was the sole bread-winner," said Mr Mamoepa.
Mr Mamoepa told the BBC that Mhlongo had been told to bring someone who could vouch for his nationality.Mr Mamoepa told the BBC that Mhlongo had been told to bring someone who could vouch for his nationality.
"We understand he visited the office with an elderly man who shared his surname and told the official that served him that the man was his father.""We understand he visited the office with an elderly man who shared his surname and told the official that served him that the man was his father."
The official didn't believe the young man's story, tore up Mhlongo's papers and called him a "kwere-kwere" - a derogatory term used for foreign nationals.The official didn't believe the young man's story, tore up Mhlongo's papers and called him a "kwere-kwere" - a derogatory term used for foreign nationals.
The opposition Democratic Alliance welcomed the minister's strong action but said it was not isolated case.The opposition Democratic Alliance welcomed the minister's strong action but said it was not isolated case.
"There are thousands of other citizens who on a daily basis face the same disgraceful treatment from public servants across all departments," DA Home Affairs spokesperson Juanita Terblanche told The Mercury newspaper."There are thousands of other citizens who on a daily basis face the same disgraceful treatment from public servants across all departments," DA Home Affairs spokesperson Juanita Terblanche told The Mercury newspaper.
Have you, family or friends had any experience of dealing with South Africa's Department of Home Affairs? Are you a foreigner who's tried to get ID documents in South Africa and how easy was the process?
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