READER LETTER | Krugersdorp’s home affairs office in crisis

Home affairs has a bad reputation for poor service delivery. Now, in the digital-era age and under a DA minister, it’s worse, judging by the situation in Krugersdorp. People stand in long queues for hours without getting the necessary service.

A month ago, I went there to apply for a smart card ID. I arrived 15 minutes before my 1pm appointment but ended up leaving at 4pm, tired, angry and hungry. Fortunately, I had taken leave for that day.

Two weeks ago, I received an SMS that my ID was ready for collection. However, I had to book an appointment to collect the ID. I struggled online for two weeks to get a slot. Last Wednesday, I decided to go to the office. There were three long queues. I went straight to a security officer and she asked if I had booked. I said, “no”.

She 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.

Another security officer called me aside and explained that many people were struggling to book online and that I could either join the long queue of people who had not booked or go home. He indicated that those in the queue would only be served after those who had booked had been seen. He added that the chances of those who had not booked being helped were slim.

The situation at the Krugersdorp home affairs has reached a crisis point. And nothing is being done to improve it. It’s time citizens stand up against this nonsense. – Thabile Mange