MPs want the validity of Lesotho’s Identity Documents (IDs) extended beyond the current 10 years. The push comes as the Ministry of Home Affairs is failing to renew IDs due to lack of funds.
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The ministry is also failing to issue IDs to those who have turned 16.
Lost or damaged IDs are also not being replaced.
MPs suggest that people should be allowed to continue using their expired IDs until the government is able to renew them.
The Mekaling MP, Thabiso Lekitla, suggested this stopgap measure in a motion launched on Monday.
“The government should do this to prolong the use of all expired IDs,” Lekitla said.
He said this would temporarily ease the IDs’ problem “while the government is in the process of addressing the prevailing crisis on non-issuance of IDs for the sake of stranded Basotho whose IDs have expired and are unable to access some services”.
Home Affairs Minister, Lebona Lephema, told the MPs that he didn’t have the powers to extend the validity of IDs.
“I do not have powers to suspend section 9 of the National Identity Card Act 2011,” Lephema said.
The MPs however told him to ponder on the suggestion and report back to the House.
The ministry is also failing to clear a huge backlog of passports.
Without valid IDs people cannot open bank accounts, register their phone sim cards, withdraw cash from certain accounts with mobile money agents, and many other daily businesses.
The ministerial decree could permit holders of expired IDs to use birth certificates, passports, or driver’s licence.
The problem, however, is that birth certificates do not have photos to identify the bearer, those who never had IDs cannot apply for passports without having first obtained IDs, and they can also not apply for driver’s licences.
Nkheli Liphoto
