Identity Theft And Fraud In Free State On The Rise

A Bloemfontein man in the Free State has called on the Department of Home Affairs to resolve his identity document crisis. For the past 12 years since he lost his copy, he has struggled to receive an ID from the department.

The man, 55-year-old Mlamli Mtsewu says he cannot provide for his family after losing his job over the ID issue.

I should be the one buying groceries and clothes. These children should have studied. I have four children who finished matric. The money is there where I worked for them to study, but I cant sign for that money. Theyre unable to study further because Im the one who needs to sign for the money to be released. I cant even provide a photocopy of the ID, says Mtsewu.

Meanwhile, the Southern African Fraud Prevention Service says identity fraud is a growing trend in the Free State.

The organisation says Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape are the main centres where identity fraud is committed.