It is unacceptable for the Home Affairs office in Harrismith to close its doors to the public early, particularly just before the last registration weekend.
After receiving numerous complaints from the Harrismith community, the FF Plus paid a visit to the office on Tuesday.
By 14:00, the premises were deserted with no-one but a security guard on duty proffering the excuse that the office was experiencing a water problem.
After a simple inspection, though, the FF Plus determined that the taps and toilets did have water.
It is unacceptable that, through these reduced hours, the public are denied their right to collect their ID documents or apply for a temporary ID document shortly before a voter registration weekend.
This is essentially denying voters their democratic right to vote and, thus, determine their future.
A fundamental right guaranteed by the Constitution is being violated as a result of Home Affairs officials’ laxity.
The FF Plus has lodged a complaint about it with the office of the national Minister of Home Affairs and will also raise the issue in the relevant parliamentary portfolio committee.
On the eve of the elections, Home Affairs offices are supposed to be open for extended hours to assist the public, but poor service delivery has become the norm.
Voters should seize the opportunity to get rid of the ANC in the upcoming elections and replace it with a coalition government, with the FF Plus as a governing partner, so that poor service delivery can be eradicated.
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