PHIL KULANI NKUNA writes:
On February 16 I went to the Department of Labour to lodge a complaint against my ex-employer but was dissatisfied with the service I received.
I arrived at the department at 8:45am and went to the security woman on duty to enquire about queuing. Her response was that I should come the next day before 5am because they cut the line at 9am.
I asked to see the manager. I was taken to one of the department officials. I told them that early this year I arrived at 10:15am to lodge the same complaint and didn’t get help, just excuses from the department security guards.
It now looks like this is an ongoing problem. The official explained they were cutting the queue because one employer was off sick and there were only two officials at the complaints section. I then asked to see the manager to explain the issue because I think it is her duty to make sure we as clients receive services. If there is a shortage of staff it needs to be sorted without affecting us.
The manager told me I was questioning her job and that I was not qualified to question her duties because it was the department’s internal issues they would deal with. She then asked me why I was the only one who thought they needed special treatment.
I want to raise the following issues: there is poor communication between the department and clients. There should be a notice board to convey messages.
Time and money for transport are wasted, especially when you are unemployed. There should be enough employees until closing time.
As a citizen I am not getting my rightful service from the government and my rights to services are limited because of poor service delivery.
Lastly, the manager told me she could not be held responsible if there were internal departmental issues such as training or sick employees that arise.
I ended up telling her I was going to go to the media so the matter could be investigated and also to get public views on similar experiences. I wish that this matter can be investigated and that the MEC of Labour intervenes.
