Court blocks ID-blocking without fair process

JOHANNESBURG - Home Affairs will no longer be allowed to block South African IDs without notice.

The order was made by the High Court in Pretoria after three organisations took the matter to court.

The court says government can protect the population register by placing a marker against suspicious IDs.

READ: Crime in SA | Home Affairs identity theft

But, it can only be done with sufficient notice, proper investigations and an appeal process.

It said it was mischievous of the department to do so without following the correct procedures.

Liesel Muller from the Centre for Child Law says government was essentially impuning on people's rights.