Home affairs outreach in Diepsloot offers little relief for residents
A learner missed an exam and a wheelchair-bound grandfather was turned away. Some felt disappointed during an outreach programme held by the home affairs department to address documentation issues.
Sindile Mahlangu stood in a long queue outside the Diepsloot youth centre, still dressed in a school uniform, hoping to be helped in time to write his exam later that morning.
Instead, Sindile spent hours waiting in the queue, alongside hundreds of other residents who had arrived before sunrise for the department of home affairs outreach programme on May 25.
Just a few metres away, Molepo Makopa faced a different frustration. After bringing his wheelchair-bound grandfather, Molepo Samuel, to apply for a smart ID, he was told the mobile truck could not accommodate wheelchairs.
Read more: Residents question Lonehill Shopping Centre rooftop revamp
The scenes revealed both the desperate need for home affairs services in Diepsloot and the challenges residents faced during the packed outreach programme.
“I queued in the morning around 05:00, thinking it would be quick. I’m even still in my school uniform. I was hoping to go write, but luckily the principal knew about this, and we were all given a new date to write,” said Sindile.
Makopa said he had hoped the outreach programme would save his grandfather the difficult trip of going to a home affairs branch outside the area, “but they said the mobile trucks can’t support a wheelchair and we can’t carry him inside, so we must go to the office. At least there we won’t have to queue.”
Many residents said they arrived while it was still dark, in hopes of being assisted early. Some carried documents in plastic sleeves, while others stood in line with children beside them. Happy Mkhabela said she arrived at 03:30 with her child, believing they would be among the first to receive help.
Also read: Winter donations bring warmth to Diepsloot families
“I [thought that] I’m beating time, but I have not been assisted. I’m not happy at all. My child did not go to school, thinking we would get assistance, but we have been here.”
According to facility manager David Maseko, the outreach programme came after ongoing concerns about residents having to travel long distances to access home affairs offices in Strydompark and Pretoria.
“Councillor Julius Maake reached out to home affairs, realising that a lot of people in the community are in need of assistance. We really need a home affairs office in Diepsloot.”
Home affairs regional manager Hlengiwe Cele said officials were assisting residents with smart IDs, passport applications, birth certificates, ID renewals, and the replacement of lost identity documents due to growing demand in the area.
She added that residents renewing could also use partnered bank branches offering home affairs services.
The department confirmed it will return to Diepsloot on June 5 for another outreach visit. Hopefully, those queueing will be assisted then.
Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration!
