Today, 10 July 2026, is the final day for individuals whose South African identity numbers were blocked before November 2022 to submit representations to the Department of Home Affairs explaining why their identities should be unblocked.
The representations process forms part of the department's commitment to ensuring procedural fairness in accordance with the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act (PAJA), while protecting the integrity of the National Population Register.
Individuals who fail to submit representations by the close of business today risk having their blocked identity numbers cancelled once the administrative process has been concluded.
Representations must be made in person at any Home Affairs office, excluding refugee reception centres and bank branches.
Affected individuals should bring any available supporting documentation confirming their identity, citizenship or legal status.
Many blocked identity numbers were flagged in terms of section 19 of the Identification Act, 1997, including duplicate identity numbers and cases requiring verification of a person's identity or status.
To date, the department has successfully resolved and unblocked 2 202 368 identity numbers.
The department urges every affected individual who has not yet submitted representations to make use of this final opportunity before the process closes at the end of business today.
For more information on blocked IDs, visit the Department of Home Affairs website.
Enquiries:
Ndileka Cola
Chief Director: Communication Services
Cell: 076 333 3799
#GovZAUpdates
