The Department of Home Affairs has dismissed claims of a 250,000-case backlog in late birth registrations, stating that only 33,000 applications remain unresolved. This comes after the Legal Resources Centre (LRC) took the department to court, demanding a clear plan to address delays in processing late registrations, which have left thousands without identity documents (IDs).
Dispute Over Backlog Figures
Deputy Minister Njabulo Nzuza refuted the LRC’s estimate, calling it an outdated projection. “According to our records, we have about 33,000 cases of late birth registrations, which is not a significant backlog,” Nzuza said in an interview. He emphasized that the department processed 868,476 birth registrations in the last financial year, with 129,000 being late registrations (between 31 days and 14 years old) and 14,000 for those 15 years and older.
The LRC had sought a court order compelling Home Affairs to implement a strategy to clear the alleged backlog and prevent future delays. However, Nzuza stated that the department had already resolved 12 out of 16 cases cited in the court application and was engaging with the LRC to settle the matter.
Challenges in Late Registrations
Nzuza acknowledged the difficulties faced by applicants, attributing delays to:
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Parental neglect: Many parents fail to register births within the mandatory 31-day window, leaving children without legal documentation.
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Fraud prevention: The department must verify late registrations to prevent fraudulent entries into the national population register, particularly for individuals claiming citizenship without proper documentation.
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Cultural barriers: Some families delay registration due to traditional practices, such as awaiting ceremonial rites before official recognition.
To streamline the process, Home Affairs has delegated authority from provincial managers to district offices, speeding up approvals for late registrations (31 days to 14 years). Additionally, parents registering newborns will no longer need physical IDs—fingerprint verification will suffice.
Digital Transformation to Improve Efficiency
Nzuza highlighted ongoing digital reforms, including:
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Smart ID cards: Phasing out green barcoded IDs in favor of biometric-enabled smart cards.
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E-birth registration: A new electronic system to register births, including those occurring overseas.
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Bank partnerships: Expanding Home Affairs services at select banks to reduce wait times.
Possible Out-of-Court Settlement
The deputy minister expressed optimism about resolving the LRC’s case without litigation, citing progress in addressing the cited delays. “We are preparing a response, but we hope to demonstrate that our systems are improving,” he said.
Impact on Affected Individuals
Without birth certificates and IDs, individuals face barriers to education, healthcare, and employment. The LRC argues that delays violate constitutional rights, while Home Affairs maintains it must balance accessibility with safeguarding national records.
As the dispute continues, the department urges parents to register births promptly to avoid legal complications for their children.