Home affairs looking to deal with long queues at its offices

The portfolio committee on home affairs has welcomed the announcement that the issue of queues has been taken up as a ministerial priority at the department’s offices, Rekord East reports

The committee had suggested the department of home affairs seek a holistic approach to dealing with long queues at their offices which would ensure that the queue challenge received attention at the highest level.

Chairperson of the portfolio committee on home affairs Bongani Bongo said these approaches were to be made with technological advances, the reintroduction of opening on the weekend, reduction of downtime and extension of the relationship with banks.

“The commitment to deal with this matter is appreciated; we will be able to gauge the impact with time. What the committee is interested in is to see the queues decreasing and our people receive the quality of services,” said Bongo.

He said about finding workable solutions, the committee was unanimous in the need to utilise technological advances such as an online appointment system that will ensure that clients arrived at the department when they are expected.

“While this might be a solution, the committee is cognisant of the challenges caused by the unreliable network provided by the State Information Technology Agency (Sita), which must be resolved with urgency.”

Bongo said the committee had also called for the extension of the department’s footprint in banking institutions to lighten the load on home affairs offices.

“Also, the committee has called for a re-engagement with labour unions to resolve the impasse on the opening of the home affairs offices on Saturdays, which alleviated weekday pressures on the offices. A collaborative effort between the unions and the department is necessary to ensure the department’s effectiveness,” said Bongo.

He said the committee had committed to engaging the national treasury on the issue of departmental funding.

“The committee agrees with the department that the current footprint is inadequate to service the current population and requires the extension of its services, which will include opening more offices,” he said.

Bongo said the roll-out of mobile trucks, especially to rural areas, was highlighted as an area of focus.

Bongo also emphasised to the department that there would be a need to equip these mobile trucks with adequate infrastructure to be able to offer all departmental services.

“Training for frontline employees was also underlined as a key area that must be prioritised, as there are areas of concern currently. There are ongoing complaints about the unpleasant attitude of home affairs staff, which can be addressed through training, which must be periodic.”

The tackling of queues comes after customers were not happy with the long wait at various home affairs officers.

@SADHomeAffairs Roodepoort Home Affairs are denying public entrance at 14h00 because they have cut the queue for the day…. Krugersdorp have been offline for nearly a week. How are the public supposed to get anything done? #whatpublicservice pic.twitter.com/Yc0asPnan5

— Monique Gerrard Wilken (@moniquegerrard) December 2, 2019

Joining the long queues once again just for collection of ID & passport — at Department Of Home Affairs https://t.co/mmAczDZ6Ig

— Nelson Reddy (@promink) December 3, 2019

In the queue at Home Affairs since before 8. They are off-line. Happy days! NOT!#OffDay#HomeAffairs#OffLine#MomAndDaughterSelfie https://t.co/9ZErU7qNaO pic.twitter.com/ifNkvyh4V2

— Karen du Toit (@karentoittoit) December 3, 2019

I also have the same issue. Have you come across a solution? besides standing in the all-day queue at Home Affairs

— Grant Verheul (@Grant_Verheul) December 2, 2019

💯Until they sort out Home Affairs ,sort out their queues I don’t have a day to go and waste there And my bank doesn’t do it anymore + My camp chair is not for chilling at gvmnt depts

— Luyolo (@luyoloqwa) November 30, 2019