Hon. Haniff Hoosen, Shadow Minister
I am the spouse of a South African citizen. It is my 8th year here in South Africa. I applied for my Permanent Residency(PR) in January 2017. I applied through the so called 'Corporate Client' section as I am temporarily employed by an organisation which is in the corporate client list published by DHA.
The promise by VFS was that the maximum time to process the application was 6 months. Now it is almost 1 and a half years and I have not got a feedback.
VFS's premium service centre(where the corporate client applications are made) continued to ignore my emails for 6 months. Then I wrote a nasty email and then one lady responded saying that she has taken over my case and I should write to her. I have been emailing here since January 2018 and she responds but it is not helping.
I keep on waiting.
I heard from a DHA employee that the files do not move there. It sounds correct to me as I have not got a feedback yet. And I am sure there are many people like me.
I am really upset with VFS that collects extra money, promising things which they cannot actually execute. My experience with VFS on previous occasions was also not good.
Is there nobody to control this private institution that is minting money at the expense of its client's frustration and heartache?
This VFS came into this country to improve the situations at DHA. If there is no improvement why are they here?
The very first time I extended my spouse visa I went to the nearby DHA office in Vereeniging and it was all done without any hassle. The second time onwards, to extend my temporary visa I had to go to VFS in Rivonia and it was always a lot of expenditure, including appeals.
DHA does not charge the spouse of a South African citizen for PR applications. VFS charged me R1000 more than their normal fee for PR application. Still I am sitting here waiting!
I get the impression that whatever DHA does is to favour VFS(help VFS make money).
I have the right to stay with my husband in this country as long as I am not an 'undesirable person'. Why should I suffer? This illegitimate marriage between VFS and Home Affairs is forcing people to become an 'undesirable person'.
Please do not consider this as a personal matter raised by me, I am writing on behalf of all people who are suffering at the hands of VFS and DHA.
Sincerely
A George