Lack of identity documents hinders access to government assistance

Ntsoaki Motaung

Moleboheng Matlosa, the education inspector for the Ministry of Education and Training in Thaba Tseka, has raised concerns over the high number of children in the district who lack birth certificates.

Matlosa highlighted that many children in the area face poverty and need government assistance, but the absence of birth certificates prevents them from accessing this support.

“Many children in our district are orphans or have parents who left for jobs and took their documents with them,” said Matlosa. “This makes it difficult for them to obtain the necessary documents when projects like the Basic Education Strengthening Project (BESP) are implemented,” she added.

Matlosa emphasised that BESP could potentially assist more children if they had the required identity documents.

“Currently, BESP is helping about 100 children in Thaba Tseka with uniforms. If identity documents were available, the project could have supported many more,” she added.

To address this issue, she explained that the Ministry of Education is collaborating with other ministries, including the Ministry of Local Government, Home Affairs, and Police, to ensure the distribution of identity documents in the district.

However, challenges remain.

The District Administrator (DA), Tlali Mphafi, noted that cooperation issues with a civil servant from the Department of the National Identity and Civil Registration (NICR) hindered progress.

“The problem has been mitigated, and relations have improved since I reported the issue to the head office,” Mphafi said. He also highlighted the significant number of people in the district who lack identity documents.

“I advise the Minister to change the current system and suppliers of the Ministry. Additionally, officers need to be better trained, as some send people back for minor mistakes that could be easily resolved,” Mphafi suggested.

Relebohile Mothibeli, public relations officer of the Ministry of Local Government, Home Affairs, and Police, defended the ministry’s efforts.

“Through the NICR office, we conduct public outreaches, providing services including issuing birth certificates. Despite harsh weather, long distances, and hard-to-reach areas where we sometimes use horses, we work hard to deliver these services,” she said.

Mothibeli expressed confusion over the persistent high number of children without birth certificates in Thaba Tseka. “I do not know why this is still an issue when we work so hard. Perhaps parents are not seeking documentation for their children,” she speculated.

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