4 December 2006
The Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Malusi Gigaba, will embark on a two-day
visit to the Eastern Cape, between Monday, 4 December and Tuesday, 5 December
2006, as part of his programme of attending to the challenges facing Home
Affairs.
The purpose of the visit is to have a first hand experience of challenges
faced by Home Affairs officials when executing their duties, and clients in
their quest to access Home Affairs services.
This is part of a comprehensive programme by the department to provide
world-class services to both citizens of this country and potential foreign
visitors.
The need for such a programme arose out of concerted efforts by both the
Minister and the Deputy Minister to ensure that Home Affairs, as a caring
department for all the people of this country, is better positioned to be a
friendly department for all and provides services within the shortest time
possible.
Central to challenges that have been facing the department since it was set
up many decades ago has been lack of understanding by the public of necessary
supporting documents for applications. Furthermore, in very few cases, some
officials of the department have not responded to the requests of the public in
a manner that is consistent with the sprit of 'People first' as expected from
any government official.
Senior managers will accompany the Deputy Minister from Head Office.
The delegation will visit and provide services at various Home Affairs
service points and meet with all Home Affairs managers to try and understand
their challenges.
Feedback received from both the public and Home Affairs officials will be
integrated in the main turnaround strategy for the department.
Enquiries:
Khulekani Ntshangase
Cell: 082 888 8613
Issued by: Department of Home Affairs
4 December 2006
