Disarray at the Kempton Park branch of the Department of Home Affairs has resulted in multiple complaints against them from the community.
Khanyisile Phiri said she was one of many people who have been let down by the Department of Home Affairs and plans to take legal action.
The father of Phiri’s child died in a car crash on July 26, 2014.
Phiri said she needed a BI 1663 document from the department to complete her application for a Road Accident Fund (RAF) claim.
She told the Kempton Express she had visited the Department of Home Affairs offices in Kempton Park since 2014.
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“I have always been told they did not receive the document I requested from the head office.
“I called the Department of Home Affairs head office many times and they told me they sent the document to the Kempton Park office.
“I did not know what to do because the Kempton Park office said they had not received it,” she said.
Phiri reached out to the Kempton Express for help.
In early January, the Kempton Express tried to contact the Kempton Park offices of the Department of Home Affairs on numerous occasions, but all calls went unanswered.
On January 18, when calls were answered the Kempton Express was kept on hold for an extended period until they ended the call.
Again, on January 25, the Kempton Express made another call to the Kempton Park Home Affairs office and was transferred to another line.
The Kempton Express was again kept on hold for an extended time until the call was ended.
During the last week of January, the Kempton Express paid a visit to the Kempton Park offices of the Department of Home Affairs office to obtain answers.
On arrival, the Kempton Express was told the correct person to talk to was unavailable.
On February 7, the Kempton Express returned to offices and managed to speak to the home affairs senior administration officer, Sthembile Koele.
Koele searched the department’s system and confirmed the staff did receive Phiri’s BI 1663 document.
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On February 8, the Kempton Express accompanied Phiri to meet with Koele who confirmed the document was sent to Kempton Park on October 1, 2023.
Phiri said she applied for the document in 2014.
She added that she could no longer claim from the RAF because of the nearly ten-year delay in receiving the paperwork needed.
“Claims must be lodged within three years from the date of the accident and finalised within five years from the date of the accident.”
“I have been waiting for this document for 10 years and now I cannot claim the money I wanted to use for my child’s future,” she said.
Phiri added she plans to take legal action against the Department of Home Affairs.
On February 9, Koele stated he was not allowed to speak to the media and gave the Kempton Express two email addresses for officials who would provide comment on the matter.
The Kempton Express sent an enquiry for comment to the supplied email addresses on February 9.
Comment was requested by February 10, and their request for an extension for comment was granted to February 12.
By the time of going to print, no comment was received from the department.
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