The wait at public entities such as the Department of Home Affairs is described by many as a nightmare. It is not uncommon for those in need of identity documents (ID), marriage certificates or passports to start queuing from early hours of the morning.
Phumla Dlamini, 17, is one of many matriculants who have no choice but to endure the heat of the sun and hours of queuing to ensure that she gets her ID.
As it is mandatory for us to have our ID to write the final exam I don’t have a choice. There is no communication from anyone in the office and nobody is ensuring social distancing. People are almost on top of each other. Public entities like this are failing the people. There’s no point in government telling us to social distance and stay safe when their own entities are not practising it themselves.”
The Umlazi resident said she woke up at 4am and arrived at the Department of Home Affairs in Durban at 6am. By 9am she said the queue had not moved. Devan Moodley suffers from hypertension and diabetes. He described his experience as “unbearable”.
“I am 68 years old and I’ve been here since 7am. For the past two hours I’ve been in the same spot and all I need to do is pick up my ID. There’s been no communication and I don’t think they take social distancing seriously. Some people are even standing without a mask. There’s no lines marked for 1.5 meter spacing,” said Moodley.
Moodley, who is from Shallcross, said judging from how the line was moving he would only be attended to after 2pm. Daniel Jacobs from Durban North had to take time off work to help his son get his ID. “It is very difficult for me to wait for such long hours as I am an essential worker and people rely on me. The more time I waste here, the less time I have to help others. South Africa is lacking far behind in the modern world.
