Questions and answers
Question: Minister there is one interesting thing; you said your department is bringing shame to the country, could you please elaborate on this?
Answer: Yes, it was very sad to listen to the note that Douglas Skhumbuzo Mhlongo left. One of the things he said was that he had lost hope. Now, one of the things Home Affairs should do is to give hope to people by providing them with and facilitating their lives through the relevant documents. But if somebody, after coming from Home Affairs says he has lost hope to the extent that he ends his life, this cannot be acceptable. It cannot be right and this cannot continue. This is the turning point.
Question: MEC Radebe, please inform the public about the stress relief fund because some members of the public are not aware of it.
Answer: There is a R150 million for this current financial year. Where provide food for unemployed people so that they have something to eat everyday and we provide uniforms to children. Children of unemployed parents or those who don't have children are exempt from paying school fees. That money is strictly for such situations. People must go to our offices and apply for this benefit. Widows, who do not qualify for pensions because of their ages, do qualify for this benefit. We also provide training so they develop skills.
Question: (sound missing)
Answer: If some of the people who worked at Home Affairs were as honest and as dignified as he was, he would be alive now. But it also went through my mind that he was in a way trying to get Home Affairs to be the department it should be. It is a struggle and he is a hero in that struggle. We will always remember him for this until the day Home Affairs becomes what it should be.
Question: Minister, is it safe to assume that this death will serve as a catalyst towards dealing with corruption and inefficiency in the department?
Answer: I think we should just say everybody who works at Home Affairs must see this as a turning point because they cannot continue to do things as they always have. There are some people who are doing good work and they must continue. People must change their ways, it cannot continue. The public must also take responsibility and must report anything they see wrong at any office. If officials behave in a way that is unbecoming of a civil servant, the public must report them. People must feel free to tell me that they do not want a particular official to serve them in a particular office. If the public does not want an official in a particular office, the department does not want them in that office either.
Issued by: Department of Home Affairs
3 September 2009
