Home Affairs has a bad reputation of lack of service delivery. Now it's worse, in the age of digital era, and under a DA minister. People, young and old, stand in the queue (in the sun and rain) for many hours without getting the necessary service.
Whatever happened to the Batho Pele Principles? A month or so ago, I had an appointment at the home affairs to apply for a smart card ID. My appointment was at 1pm. I arrived 15 minutes before and left the Krugersdorp Home Affairs at 4pm. When I left, I was tired, angry and hungry. Fortunately, I had taken leave for that day.
Two weeks ago, I received an SMS from the home affairs saying my ID was ready for collection. However, I have to book for an appointment to collect the ID.
For two weeks, I struggled to get a slot online. I even thought there was something wrong with my laptop and cellphone.
Last Wednesday, I decided to go to the Home Affairs in Krugersdorp. On my arrival, there were three long queues. I went straight to the security and was asked if I had booked. I said, "No". The security guard told me to go home and come back after booking. I stood there, angry and confused. It's not what she said that made me angry but how she said it.
The other security guard called me aside and explained that many people were struggling to book online. He said, I either join the long queue of people who have not booked or go home.
However, he indicated that those people will only be serviced after those who have booked. He further said that the chances of them (those who have not booked) being helped are slim. I left. A day later, a friend sent me a WhatsApp message complaining about the same challenge.
His wife had also received an SMS to collect her smart card ID from the Krugersdorp Home Affairs. However, she's also struggling to get a slot, just like me. And she doesn't know what to do anymore.The same friend told me he has called a cabinet minister and told him about the Krugersdorp home affairs challenge.
The minister told him his two children are also confronted by the same challenge. "Is there something you can do to help?" my friend asked the minister.
Unfortunately, he said, "there is nothing I can do."The situation at the Krugersdorp Home Affairs has reached a crisis point. And nothing is being done to improve it. Consequently, people are negatively affected. It's time citizens stand up against this nonsense.
Otherwise, the status quo will remain. And we will have no one to blame but ourselves.
Thabile Mange I Jobourg