Ah, the Department of Home Affairs. They might be one of the world’s most bloated, corrupt and incompetent government departments, but at least they have a sense of humour. As 70-year-old pensioner, Paulinah Ragatji  found out, when she was told that she would need to be accompanied by her dead parents, in order to receive an ID.

Democratic Alliance Limpopo leader Desiree van der Walt said yesterday:

As a result of this absurd insistence from officials; Mama Paulinah has never voted since the dawn of democracy, she is unable to receive her old age grant and stays in a shack when all her neighbours have RDP houses.

Ragatji, whose parents have been dead for decades, lives in Ga-Makgoba, near Polokwane. She looks after her four grandchildren, two of whom are orphans.

Van der Walt continued, saying:

To put it in context, she has been denied all the rights and benefits which accrue to all of us as South African citizens.

Home Affairs spokesman, Ronnie Mamoepa, said that he knew nothing of the incident, but that it would be “despicable and unimaginable” to expect a woman of 70 to produce her dead parents in order to receive an ID.

The department will have to investigate and ensure that this woman’s dignity is reinstalled as soon as possible.

Thanks Ronnie, it’s good to know that, along with all the other great powers held by Home Affairs, it can now also issue people with their dignity.

[Source : News24]