ALEXANDRIA, Eastern Cape — Thirty-nine-year-old Mnyamezeli Nxina’s daily struggle for survival has become a localised human rights crisis in Alexandria in the Eastern Cape.
Nxina, whose one leg was amputated two years ago, has been unable to apply for a disability grant because he does not have an identity document. His lack of documents has left him entirely dependent on the charity of neighbours for his basic survival.
Nxina has never had a birth certificate, making it a challenge to acquire an identity document. His disability has now further disadvantaged him as he can no longer get a job. He also struggles to get to healthcare facilities as he has no funds for transport.
“I rely on asking for food from my neighbours. I need the government’s assistance to get my ID so I can stop going around asking for food,” Nxina said.
The process of the late registration of birth at the Department of Home Affairs has been challenging, with unsuccessful visits to the local offices.
The department says the process involves family members being informants to the applicant’s verifiable life events. Applications are considered by a departmental screening committee where interviews are conducted with the applicant and their informants.
But for Nxina, getting a family member for verification is difficult.
One of his neighbours, who has tried to assist him, described the difficulties: “I went to all his family members before I took a step to help him myself. I am one of the people that he is dependent on and I’m also sick and this makes me worried. We really need help. He is sick and has no food. He does not even receive food parcels because of not having an ID.”
According to the department’s standard operating procedures, the late registration of births should take 180 days. Nxina’s neighbour hopes that his next visit to the local Home Affairs offices will be successful.
