I WENT to Pinetown Home Affairs to take my son to get his ID.
And it was every bit of the chaotic disaster I had read and heard about.
The computers were offline for the first few hours, then the scanners weren’t operating and of course, staff took their lunch.
Then to add to the plight, a staff member had a heart attack in the back office, which created panic and pandemonium.
The response to this by the public, was so appalling that it left me shaking my head in despair.
Yes, we were all frustrated and disgruntled, but a heart attack is hardly planned.
There was subsequently an uproar when we were asked to vacate the office in order for the medics and gurney to have easy access.
People refused to leave their seats and began shouting their displeasure.
I noticed that even the police vans had arrived with the ambulance – apparently to dispel the anticipated unrest!
Really, is this what we are about? Is there no more compassion in society?
Imagine the shock and trauma of co-workers to witness this and be expected to continue their tasks fully focused? That poor woman unfortunately passed away, leaving me to wonder whether it could have been prevented if medics had an easy entrance and departure?
The Durban manager arrived to address the crowds, informing us that he was doing so, not out of duty (not his office), but to assist.
He implored for understanding, to no avail.
This episode gave me the opportunity to view, as a ‘spectator’, the dismal environment for the Home Affairs workers.
The office is a dump – unkempt, depressingly bare, lacking any brightness, literally and figuratively.
All their hours are spent with angry, rude applicants, many of whom treat them disrespectfully despite their lack of control over electronic malfunctions.
This office has been operating since the late 1980s and in the interim, the population has increased exponentially.
There have been no upgrades, expansion or improvements to allow for the massive increase of applicants – and I doubt not much increase in staff either. It’s another governmental disgrace.
So, give a thought to these civil servants and can we not take out our frustrations on them. At the end of the day, they are doing their jobs. Instead, find a way to get the powers that be, to be accountable.
Could we not challenge local businesses to help with a basic make-over? A coat of paint, bright posters and decent ablutions could make for a pleasant working environment, and thus a more productive team.
Jill Adams
Pinetown
