Finish the job, minister insists on new KwaDukuza home affairs offices

The new home affairs offices in KwaDukuza central business district must be completed by February.

That was the insistence of Public Works and Infrastructure minister Sihle Zikalala when he inspected construction progress last Friday, emphasising the importance of keeping within the allocated budget.

While pleased with the quality of work, he raised concerns regarding the pace of progress, which he addressed with the director for projects at the Durban regional office, Thuthuka Mbhele.

The new offices will bring relief to KwaDukuza residents who have long complained about the inadequacies of the existing offices located in Hulett Street’s Global House.

Among the problems are a lack of access for disabled people, parking space and public toilets.

The challenges faced by KwaDukuza home affairs were highlighted earlier this year in the National Assembly.

During the presentation of the department’s annual performance plan to the portfolio committee on home affairs, deputy minister Njabulo Nzuza said they were prioritising the establishment of new offices in areas such as Umthatha, KwaDukuza and Lusikisiki.

On Friday, Zikalala also received an update on challenges experienced by home affairs and social development departments which were presented by iLembe mayor Thobani Shandu.

Stakeholders emphasised the pressing need to solve problems related to the lack of office space for government departments, despite the public works and infrastructure department owning abandoned buildings and vacant land nationally and provincially.

Zikalala said the department would try transferring or leasing unused state-owned buildings and land to state entities.

Government-to-government transactions, he said, will be more efficient and cost-effective than private purchases.

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