identity theft
Xolani Dlamini|Published
Young South Africans say duplicate identity numbers have blocked access to banking, education and government services - and left them uncertain about voting in the 4 November 2026 local government elections.
For Minenhle Maphumulo, 23, from Umlazi, her life is on hold after receiving THE shocking news that she shared her identity with someone else.
The mother of one, said she had never lost her identification (ID) since receiving it from Home Affairs when she was 18-years-old.
Maphumulo and her ‘duplicate’ share the same names, date of birth, gender and identity number.
She discovered the issue in 2024, when she was trying to open a bank account with Absa.
She said a bank employee told her that her fingerprints did not match those from the Department of Home Affairs.
Maphumulo claimed she was one of many victims in this situation.
"I feel like a dead person because of this situation. I do not have the pleasure of being a proud South African. I feel like an outcast in my country," she said.
Maphumulo revealed that she decided not to vote in the upcoming elections.
"I do not have a reason to vote because my right to vote has been tarnished. I am afraid that my duplicate will vote on my behalf," she said.
She said having a duplicate ID number meant she could not obtain a bank account, matric certificate, passport, or government services unless she beat the person with the same ID number to it.
“It is an unfair situation to find myself in when I am who I say I am, yet someone else has chosen to steal my identity,” said Maphumulo.
Olwethu Pazi, 23, another victim of identity theft from Bluff, said she too was hesitant to vote in the upcoming local government elections.
"It is devastating and annoying to face this situation. I would like to vote in the upcoming elections, but I am hesitant because I share the same names, ID number, date of birth and gender with another person," said Pazi.
She said her life was at standstill after discovering the identity theft 2023, when she visited the offices of the education department to get a new matric certificate.
Criminologist Priya Naidoo, said it was hard to prevent this type of crime.
“We need a huge investment to improve the expertise in the police that will focus on dealing with this crime and the other related fraud cases,” she said.
When asked about the unique psychological trauma identity theft victims experience compared to victims of physical crimes, Naidoo said, identity theft is just as serious as any other kind of psychological or physical violence incurred by the victim.
"However, due to its discreetness and lack of visual harm, it is often downplayed in its severity. Victims experience similar psychological trauma to violent crimes such as anxiety and severe depression as identity theft is an infringement of the person's personal information whilst physical violence is actual assault or harm to the victim's body or personal safe place."
"Some of the unique psychological trauma victims face from identity theft is that they now have to prove that they have been violated as there is no physical bodily harm. This means that they have to prove their innocence to the banks and law enforcement.
“Imagine that you have been a victim of identity theft that has caused you to incur a financial loss. You now have to go to the bank, escalate the issue and relive the event. Then again, you relive the event when facing law enforcement," Naidoo explained.
She mentioned the victim feels violated, increases awareness in everything they do and loses trust in digital institutions.
"Once this silent breach occurs, confidence in these online institutions falls as they were supposed to have systems and processes in place to protect the users. Due to these criminals being virtual and potentially operating anywhere in the world, it is difficult for them to be caught; thus, the victims feel that they should not report crimes and view assistance as ineffective.
“Therefore, the rate of cybercrime reported remains low," said Naidoo.
Commenting on long term mental health effects commonly observed in these victims, Naidoo said the National Institute of Health cited in their 2025 article, that victims of cybercrimes have prolonged psychological issues and mental health conditions that affect their everyday life.
"The victims suffer from conditions such as major depressive disorder, chronic anxiety and PTSD. Victims often exhibit clinical depression and a sense of helplessness due to their financial loss and violation of their personal privacy. This contributes to ongoing sadness. The chronic anxiety causes victims to have panic attacks in everyday situations as they constantly feel attacked and helpless,” she said.
Naidoo disclosed young adults between the ages of 16 to 24 are the highest targets for cybercrime at the moment because they spend most of their time on social media and online platforms.
"Socialising has evolved to include social media and a strong online presence and this age group tend to post their routines and habits online which is easier for criminals to map out ways to harm and injure them. They also tend to click on more unverified links.
“For example, something as simple as posting where they are having a cup of coffee gives information about their social status, availability, whereabouts, friend circle etc," she said.
Naidoo highlighted victims were previously targeted based on poor digital understanding and online media presence.
"Nowadays, anyone can become a victim of identity theft. Anyone who is on social media is susceptible to being a victim. Criminals use automated AI bots to scrape public photos, voice and video clips to clone information, faces and voices and maliciously use this to access personal data.
“They use people who upload a CV onto Chat GBT. They gain the professional profile of people and exploit them by phishing. They even go to the extent of creating fake emails from high level CEOs to authorize money transfers, mine data from large organisations and exploit unknowing users,” she said.
Department of Home Affairs spokesperson Carli Van Wyk, said they treated identity theft and fraudulent documents as a major systemic threat, actively investigating active cases, blocking duplicate or irregular IDs, and shifting toward automated digital systems.
"The department's counter-corruption and security services branch is actively investigating 21 specific cases involving identity theft and documents acquired fraudulently. Internal disciplinary actions and criminal referrals to the Hawks or SAPS are initiated if officials are found aiding imposters.
“Approximately 300,000 identity documents have been flagged or blocked due to suspected irregularities, duplicate entries, or fraud”, she said.
Van Wyk revealed that the department has run campaigns such as deadlines ending in mid-2026, allowing citizens with wrongfully blocked IDs to submit representations to clear their records.
She highlighted that the old green barcoded ID book is highly susceptible to identity theft because it relies on manual processes and physically attached photographs.
According to the Home Affairs department, the production of the green ID book is scheduled to end by March 31, 2027, as the department transitions citizens toward biometric Smart ID cards.
Both Maphumulo and Pazi reported the identity theft to the Department of Home Affairs and opened cases with the South African Police Service (SAPS), but they have yet to receive any feedback on the matter.