COMPLAINTS LODGED BY LERIBE COMMUNITIES OVER THE SCARCITY AND DELAYS IN THE ISSUANCE OF PASSPORTS AND IDENTITY DOCUMENTS
During the course of the targeted outreach campaigns conducted in the Leribe district in September 2024, most people raised concerns over the delays in procuring passports and identity documents (IDs) for elongated periods of time but were consistently informed that the Ministry of Home Affairs could not issue such travel documentation as the Department did not have any in store.
The main disjuncture is that they are unable to travel and look for work abroad, particularly in South Africa, and that this is depriving them of the opportunity to have a livelihood and has caused them a lot of poverty. They claimed that choosing to take other unlawful routes, such as crossing the river, to get to South Africa puts their lives at jeopardy. Additionally, they reported that because their IDs had expired, they were not able to access some vital services in the country.
Eleven villages attended the public hearings and 1163 people were addressed. Likewise, Tiping community members were complaining about wild creatures that they believed were escaping from Ts’ehlanyane National Park destroying and devouring their crops. Further, the new Mpesa system, which the government currently uses to issue pensions, also caused dissatisfaction among the elderly. They stated that they wished for government to maintain the traditional method of receiving their pension via the post offices since they are being defrauded by their grandchildren and Mpesa service providers.
Public awareness initiatives in Mohale’s Hoek will continue towards the end of November 2024.