Dear Sir

This is an official complaint, kindly acknowledge & respond with some solutions.

I have never had a pleasant experience at the Somerset West Home Affairs Office. It is extremely stressful, traumatic and time-wasting.

For one example - February the 24th 2020, we attempted to apply for a passport and unabridged birth certificate for my son.
We were misinformed - told by the lady at the front desk that my son would not be able to get a passport without his father's consent.
The father is missing in action, somewhere in Australia. We are trying to get my son a passport to find the father as have to apply for Australian citizenship for my young son.
We were secondly misinformed regarding the unabridged birth certificate - told we just needed to complete one simple form with the mother's and father's details.
We were there for 3 hours. I am a single working mother, and my son is in his final year at school.
We don't have 3 hours out of our days to waste, the system needs to be improved.
Received an SMS on stating that we had to return to complete 2 further forms.

On Monday the 10th February, we spent a total of 5 hours at this office trying to get service. Arrived at 07h30, left at 12h30 pm.
Unacceptable!! Not just for us, but how can you expect any working individual or any citizen for that matter, to spend 5 hours at any SA Home Affairs Office. Time is money for every citizen now, we are all trying to survive in this country!

I have sent 3 emails to the Acting Manager - Ms Martins, with absolutely no acknowledgement whatsoever.
When I finally spoke with her in person this Monday the 10th February, she told me she doesn't have to reply to my mails.
She told me there was no way at all that we could get an unabridged birth certificate for my son showing his father's details.
She told us then that they could actually do a passport for my son, we waited for that application for another 2.5 hours.

I have had one conversation with a Ms Michaels - Regional Manager - who assured me she would assist me with this matter.
Her phone has been continually off since Monday, she has not returned any of my calls.
This number for Ms Michaels - displayed on the sign in the office - is non-existent - 073 929 4218.
The staff at this office are full of attitude, cheek and really don't seem to feel they have to assist any citizens.
They need to be reminded that they are public servants. I have plenty of friends looking for employment if they don't want their jobs.

Kindly give us accurate information on how to get an unabridged birth certificate for my son reflecting his biological father's details thereon.
It can't be impossible, there has to be an option as it affects the future of my son.

I pay over R4000 in tax every month, I need some action. I have been paying tax to this government for over 30 years, all the years I have worked in my life.

Nothing to do with politics (as Ms Martins tried telling me), it is a matter of urgently improving service delivery and public servants being trained to do their jobs properly.

Regards

Michele