Audio By Carbonatix
The family of South Africa's Skhumbuzo Mhlongo, who committed suicide after he was refused an ID, say they are now ready to move on with their lives.
Mr Mhlongo's family have received a house from the government, along with their identity documents.
"It is a dream come true. Skhumbuzo would be happy," his sister Zandile told the BBC.
In a case which shocked the nation, the 22-year-old took his life after being refused the papers he needed for a job.
Two Home Affairs officials have since been fired over the incident.
The Mhlongos' new home is a three-bedroom house with electricity and running water - a first for the family who were living in run-down house in Kwa-Nqetho village in Hillcrest in Kwa-Zulu Natal.
"We are very happy. It is like our lives have become brand new now. We can smile again," Ms Mhlongo told the BBC News website.
"It is sad that it happened like this but we now have IDs and a chance to get jobs. This is something Skhumbuzo always wanted," said his sister.
Mr Mhlongo had apparently been trying to get an ID card for some time without any luck and had been told to bring someone who could vouch for his nationality.
In his suicide note, Mr Mhlongo explained how an official had torn up his ID application, calling him a foreigner.
Spot inspections
The case moved Home Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma to tears.
She said her department suspected that the officials who handled the matter had been looking for a bribe from Mr Mhlongo.
The minister also paid a surprise visit to the Pinetown office where the incident happened.
She said she found "a lot wrong with the office" and promised that her department would visit other offices in the country to inspect their day-to-day running.
The BBC's Pumza Fihlani in Johannesburg says the Department of Home Affairs has come under heavy criticism over the years for its inefficiency in issuing ID documents, birth certificates and passports, with some people claiming to have waited up to four years.
She points out it would be even more difficult to obtain the documents if you have no parents to vouch for your identity.
Ms Dlamini-Zuma's spokesman Ronnie Mamoepa told the BBC that they were optimistic that "there will be a turn-around in the department".
Source: BBC
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Useless Column: Kasoa V8
13 minutes -
SUNU Assurances Ghana LTD extends support to Paediatric Ward of Holy Family Hospital, Techiman
21 minutes -
Newspring Assemblies of God founder to host 2026 HigherLife Breakfast Meeting in Kumasi
22 minutes -
Government targets 100,000 jobs through new care economy programme – Opare-Addo
27 minutes -
Religious Affairs Ministry begins national database of shrines, religious sites
38 minutes -
GMA pushes for implementation of port optimisation measures at Tema Port
44 minutes -
Public sector reform must prioritise staff welfare – Civil Service head
48 minutes -
LEAP expansion brings relief to 4,372 more vulnerable residents in Jirapa
55 minutes -
President Ruto’s State backing fuels Nairobi’s historic 2029 World Athletics Championships bid
59 minutes -
Veep commissions five envoys, charges them to advance Ghana’s interests abroad
60 minutes -
19-year-old man jailed 15 years for robbery at Asokore Mampong
1 hour -
Woman killed, 14 injured after vehicles collide on Accra–Kumasi highway
1 hour -
Regulatory burden threatens SME growth, job creation – ILAPI study
1 hour -
22-year-old man sentenced to 10 years for robbery in Kumasi
1 hour -
EOCO inaugurates new audit committee to strengthen financial oversight
1 hour