Home Affairs
By Lerato Mpembe
The Department of Home Affairs has announced an extension of operating hours across its offices to accommodate the increased demand for services during the festive season. From 10 December to 20 December 2024, all Home Affairs offices will operate from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, extending the usual closing time by two hours.
This adjustment aims to facilitate ease of travel over the holiday period and reduce waiting times, ensuring that citizens can access essential services such as the collection of Smart ID cards and passports. Minister Leon Schreiber emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “The extended office hours have been introduced to facilitate ease of travelling over the holiday period and to reduce waiting time in queues over the festive season.”
In addition to extended hours, the department has introduced dedicated counters in larger offices specifically for the collection of Smart IDs and passports. This measure is designed to streamline the process and alleviate congestion, allowing for a more efficient service delivery.
Recognizing that not all citizens have access to the online booking system, Home Affairs will also accommodate walk-in clients who have been unable to secure appointments online. This inclusive approach ensures that essential services remain accessible to all, particularly during a time when demand is traditionally high.
Minister Schreiber appealed to individuals who have been waiting for three weeks or more after applying for identity documents to utilize this opportunity to collect their documents. He noted that the extended hours are part of a broader strategy to enhance service delivery during peak periods.
Historically, the Department of Home Affairs experiences a surge in applications and collections during the festive season. To address this, similar measures have been implemented in previous years. For instance, in December 2021, operating hours were extended to 5:30 PM to manage the high demand for services . Similarly, in June 2023, the department extended operating times to 5:30 PM to accommodate increased applications for Smart ID cards and passports .
The department urges all citizens requiring Home Affairs services to take advantage of the extended hours to ensure timely processing of their documents, thereby facilitating smooth travel and access to services during the festive season.
For more information on operating hours and services, citizens are encouraged to visit the official Department of Home Affairs website or contact their nearest Home Affairs office.
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