elderly about better services
25 September 2007
The Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Mr Malusi Gigaba says it is 'unfair and
frustrating' for members of the public to be sent from pillar to post when in
need of Home Affairs services. Addressing more than 100 elderly and the
physically challenged community members in Witbank, Mpumalanga earlier today
during a special Imbizo, the Deputy Minister alluded to changes that are in the
pipeline to make it possible for the public to get similar information about
services at all Home Affairs service delivery points in the country.
"Whenever a citizen endeavours to acquire services he or she is given
different information on how they must go about accessing such a service. This
needs to change sooner than later because the public cannot take it anymore."
Mr Gigaba was accompanied by the acting Mayor of the Nkangala District
Municipality, Malindi Mtshwene and senior officials of the Home Affairs and
other local government departments.
Earlier the Deputy Minister visited the Witbank hospital where he handed-out
13 birth certificates to the mothers of the newly born babies at the hospital.
His visit was part of monitoring and evaluation of the Child-Online programme
that the department has introduced to hospitals in order to register new born.
During the special Imbizo the physical challenged and the elder registered
concerns such as access to services, issues related to immigrants, access to
pay points for grants and incorrect information on enabling documents.
Mr Gigaba assured that complainants that all their concern raised will be
followed and channelled to relevant departments. He added: "A new Home Affairs
that is being built will surely address challenges and meet expectations of
ordinary South Africans, especially the poor and the vulnerable one."
Enquiries:
Mantshele wa ga Tau
Acting Director: External Communications
Cell: 082 802 4814
Bayanda Mzoneli
Spokesperson to the Deputy Minister
Cell: 082 715 7436
Issued by: Department of Home Affairs
25 September 2007
