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The Young Communist league of South Africa (uFasimba) notes with concern the increase in charges for identity and passport documents which are a fundamental necessity in the lives of our people. This suspiciously comes after the supposed deal, which went sour between Gijima and the Home Affairs department. The contract was for the provision of services for the Department of Home Affairs in relation to systems upgrade.
It would be unfortunate that this contractual debacle would now have to be compensated by South Africans. The Department of Home Affairs has given a very technical defence to justify this spontaneous and financially detrimental decision. As the YCLSA we urge the Department to reconsider this as it has potential to frustrate millions of South Africans.
We have seen how most people; particularly the poor tend to lose necessities. Where people lose such documents as a result of unforeseen disasters, fires in informal settlements etc. given that such incidents are not isolated, but are very common, particularly in the winter season. Fraud and Crime are also a major concern. It wouldn’t be correct for any South African to be prohibited from having an identity document or passport due to financial constraints. Concerns raised by the Department of Home Affairs in relation to administrative expenses incurred are justifiable but the increase is extreme and gives an impression that every other costs including salaries will come from these increases. As the YCLSA we are also concerned that this will create a precedent for other departments to increase or inflate their prices in the name of administrative costs.
The YCLSA has been consistent in its Kabelo Thibedi campaign in order to ensure that every South African gets their identity document. Initially the Department of Home Affairs had chronic maladministration problems; this has changed and improvements are visible. Efficiency and service delivery though should not be at the expense of South Africans, it’s a right.
As the YCLSA we oppose the increase in charges and call upon the Department of Home Affairs to find other ways to compensate for the “new security measures” or the Gijima deal. It is the poor majority which will feel the impact of this inflated price change.