The Department of Home Affairs has launched a nationwide campaign to assist individuals whose identity documents were blocked before November 2022, giving affected persons an opportunity to regularise their status and prevent possible cancellation of their identity numbers.

The department said the campaign forms part of efforts to protect the integrity of the National Population Register while ensuring that affected individuals are afforded a fair opportunity to explain their circumstances.

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According to Home Affairs, many identity numbers were blocked under Section 19 of the Identification Act (Act No. 68 of 1997), including records flagged as duplicates, cases requiring status verification, and other disputed registrations. To date, the department says it has successfully unblocked 2,202,368 identity numbers.

In a public notice issued in terms of the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act (PAJA), Home Affairs announced that it will investigate whether blocked identity documents correctly reflect the details of the individuals to whom they were assigned.

The department said some of the blocked records include cases classified as duplicates, illegal immigrants, and citizens of Namibia, formerly South West Africa.

Affected individuals are required to appear in person at any Home Affairs office to submit written and oral representations explaining why their identity numbers should not remain blocked or be cancelled.

Applicants are encouraged to bring supporting documents where available, including birth certificates, clinic cards, proof of birth from hospitals, parents’ identity documents, school records, affidavits from parents or informants, and any other documents that may assist in confirming their identity, citizenship or legal status.

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Home Affairs warned that identity documents may be cancelled if investigations find that they were issued to individuals who do not qualify for inclusion in the National Population Register, contain incorrect personal information, were obtained through fraud or misrepresentation, or have been forged, altered or unlawfully manipulated.

The department has given affected individuals until 10 July 2026 to submit their representations and supporting documents at any Home Affairs office.

It warned that failure to comply within the six-week period could result in the cancellation of the affected identity number without further notice.

Home Affairs urged all affected individuals to act promptly and visit their nearest office to ensure their records are verified and regularised.

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The call was made by Dr Zweli Mkhize, Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, during a joint meeting with the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs in Parliament, over the weekend.

“We are in the forefront in supporting the IEC, and we urge them to keep liaising with all political parties to manage elections,” Mkhize said.

“Every concern raised by a political party or stakeholder must receive the attention it deserves until it is satisfactorily addressed.”

The IEC briefed both committees on preparations for the 2026 elections, and engaged on the strengths and particularly the weaknesses highlighted in the IEC report on the 2024 general elections. This included voter registration, voting stations, and training for electoral officials.

Voter apathy was highlighted as a major concern, and was attributed to poor service delivery, rising unemployment, and corruption.

“We need to work towards the necessary legislation that would enable combining national, provincial, and local government elections,” said Mosa Chabane, chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs.

“Legislation around voter registration must also be finalised.”

The committees emphasised the importance of joint meetings and collaboration between the IEC, political parties, and stakeholders to ensure the success of the 2026 elections.

“The committees appreciated the continuous collaboration between the Department of Home Affairs and the IEC during elections for extending working time for the people to get IDs,” said Mava Lukani, the committee’s media officer.

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