23/08/2008 15:41 - (SA)
Bumbling home affairs nearly delays funeral
Nhlanhla Ncaca
A HOME affairs bungle almost stalled funeral arrangements for a deceased North West man.
If it were not for a compassionate neighbour, Dan Phetoe, the body of Makwena Moatshe’s would still be lying in a mortuary.
The home affairs department could not issue a death certificate because of an administrative error.
Moatshe shared his details, including an identity number and names, with another person.
Officials explained that they could not issue a death certificate without first rectifying the error.
Meanwhile, the bereaved family could not benefit from an insurance scheme.
A concerned Phetoe said: “The deceased had an insurance policy, but the claim cannot be processed without a death certificate.
“Home Affairs is responsible for the error, but now other people have to suffer in the process.”
The deceased had a funeral scheme policy, but without the death certificate the insurance company refused to process the claim.
Moatshe passed away three weeks ago. He was buried last Saturday after Phetoe came to the family’s rescue and contributed some money.
Phetoe said the family visited the Mabopane department on several occasions to try to have the matter resolved, but the officials failed to cooperate.
Hotline referred the complaint to Annie Bodlo of the office of the director-general who promised to investigate the matter.
On Thursday Bodlo said the death certificate had been issued and was ready for collection.
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