The Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Mr Njabulo Nzuza, on Friday, 06 May 2022 returned to KwaZulu-Natal with Premier Sihle Zikalala to hand over enabling documents to people who were affected by the recent floods in the province.

The visit helped in implementing the intervention plan that Government put together to assist communities reclaim their lives and return to normalcy. The Department of Home Affairs had earlier deployed mobile units in order to receive applications for enabling documents, such as IDs and birth certificates, which were lost as a result of the disaster.

Deputy Minister Nzuza and Premier Zikalala handed over the documents in KwaDukuza where they were welcomed by jubilant recipients. The Deputy Minister proceeded to Ntuzuma and Pinetown where members of the community were elated to receive their documents following his promise a fortnight ago that government will return to hand over their documents.

Said Deputy Minister Nzuza: “We had to return to KwaZulu-Natal to hand over these documents to ensure that those affected by the floods are able to access basic services such as banking and social services. Our team remains on the ground and we will endeavour to assist every victim”.

The Department of Home Affairs has been working with the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government, the eThekwini Municipality and the District Municipalities of iLembe, Ugu and Umgungundlovu to help people resume their normal lives. Central to this intervention has been the issuing of death certificates, reissuing of birth certificates and IDs that were lost as a result of the disaster. The reissuing of these documents is at no cost to the affected communities 

Premier Zikalala lauded the cooperation between the different spheres of government in addressing swiftly the plight of the affected communities.

“We are making inroads in the provision of services and humanitarian support to communities affected by the floods disaster in KwaZulu-Natal. In line with the District Development Model where National Government works in tandem with Provincial Government, the District and Local Municipalities, we are able to ensure that we provide services to citizens in a way that makes a tangible impact. 

“Last week, the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Njabulo Nzuza started a process of ensuring that people who lost their identity documents are registered. To date, 1553 IDs have been processed for the people of KwaZulu-Natal who lost their documents during the floods. We are working towards ensuring the rehabilitation of infrastructure and restoration of services, but this is an ongoing process towards rebuilding our province after the floods disaster,” said KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala.

We reiterate Government’s unflinching commitment to take all steps necessary to ensure that corruption is avoided during the entire intervention.

 

FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT:

Thabo Mokgola – 060 962 4982 – Department of Home Affairs

Gugu Sisilana – 082 889 3474 – Provincial Government of KwaZulu-Natal


ISSUED BY DEPARTMENT OF HOME AFFAIRS