Govt urged to make processing of birth certificates, IDs easier

Officials at the Registrar General's offices have been urged to add value by making the processing of birth certificates and identity cards easier and friendlier.

The call came out during a stakeholders meeting between Makokoba residents and the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Obedingwa Mguni.

Organised by the member of parliament for Makokoba constituency, Retired Colonel Tshinga Dube, the meeting sought to hear concerns faced by residents in the acquisition of national identity particulars.

Home Affairs Deputy Minister Mguni castigated corruption and called for the setting up of a client service charter in the Registrar General's office.

He also urged officials to desist from making the process of getting identity particulars impossible to unknowing residents.

Retired Colonel Dube highlighted the importance of the meeting in addressing the day to day challenges faced by residents.

Lack of identity particulars was highlighted as one of the major causes for children to fail to enrol at schools, with others struggling to get any formal employment.

The lack of identity documents has also led to the inability to track down some wanted criminals due to the fact that they will not be in any national database.

Residents were, however, reminded that getting identity documents was a constitutional right that they had to exercise without unnecessary difficulties.