Riot at Home Affairs
The situation was potentially very volatile and threatened to erupt at any moment
A mini riot took place at Home Affairs this afternoon (Thursday) after people waiting to be served were told to leave the premises.
Those who had been waiting in the queue inside Home Affairs since about 3pm were sent away by Home Affairs officials, who evidently told them there would not be enough time to serve them before the department closed at 5pm.
What made the people even more angry was that others were said to have pushed into the queue ahead of them. The people who “pushed in” claimed that their places were being kept for them in the queue.
A tense stand-off ensued between clients and Home Affairs officials when the former were told that it was past office hours and they must leave, as Home Affairs was about to close for the day. People became aggressive and loud, with lots of jostling taking place. The situation was potentially very volatile and threatened to erupt at any moment.
Aggrieved clients stood their ground and waited inside the building, saying that they would only leave after they were helped by staff.
Police and Public Safety were called to the scene. Police officers then removed the rioters from the Home Affairs offices.
