Durban - Home Affairs Minister, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma will address the funeral service of a KwaZulu-Natal man who apparently committed suicide because he was not granted an Identity Document (ID).
Douglas S'khumbuzo Mhlongo, 22, allegedly committed suicide after his urgent ID application papers were torn up by a Pinetown Home Affairs' official.
According to the department, the man was applying for an urgent ID so he could start a new job on Monday but department officials refused to help him because they suspected him of being a foreign national.
He is believed to have subsequently committed suicide on Friday night.
Minister Dlamini Zuma has since dispatched a senior departmental delegation to visit the Home Affairs office in Pinetown to investigate circumstances leading to the suicide of Mr Mhlongo.
The delegation led by acting Home Affairs Deputy Director General, Vusi Mkhize, and senior officials from the province have visited the regional office to determine the identity of the official who handled the application for an ID by the deceased.
Minister Dlamini Zuma is likely to announce the outcome of the investigation into the circumstances that led to the suicide of Mr Mhlongo as well as the course of action to be undertaken to remedy the situation, during her address at the funeral today.
On behalf of the department the minister further reiterated her deepest condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of the deceased.
The minister has vowed to leave no stone unturned to ensure that the perpetrators of this act are brought to book and to safeguard against any other citizen of this country suffering the same fate.
She also expressed her gratitude to KwaZulu-Natal Social Development, MEC Meshack Radebe for his assistance to the family in organising the funeral.
