regarding Bongekile Lucia Mkhize
20 June 2007
It is with the deepest regret that the Department of Home Affairs read this
morning's news reports connecting the unfortunate suicide of a young
KwaZulu-Natal woman, Bongekile Mkhize, to her apparent difficulties in
obtaining an ID book.
The department takes this opportunity to express its sympathy with Ms
Mkhize's family. The loss of a young woman of promise who is also a young
mother and a dutiful daughter must move us all, and we are saddened by her
passing.
An investigation is underway to determine the exact circumstances
surrounding the failure to deliver the ID document, which was indeed issued
timeously, to its rightful owner. Initial results indicate that the South
African Post Office, which has a contract with Home Affairs to deliver
documents, made three attempts to find Ms Mkhize, but that they were
unsuccessful on each occasion because the address provided on the application
form gave neither a street name nor a house number.
Home Affairs is re-examining its delivery methods as part of the ongoing
re-engineering process. Results of the assessment and any changes aimed at
greater efficiency and reliability will be communicated to the public as soon
as they come into effect.
Further enquiries:
Jacky Mashapu
Cell: 082 885 8449
Issued by: Department of Home Affairs
20 June 2007
