HOME AFFAIRS TO OPEN BRANCHES IN MALLS

The dreaded queues at Home Affairs offices and lately certain bank branches might be a thing of the past.

That’s because Home Affairs Minister Doctor Aaron Motsoaledi recently announced that certain malls in the country will play host to home affairs offices.

Motsoaledi made the announcement during his speech on the occasion of the 2022/23 Budget Vote.

“Operating Home Affairs offices at malls will obviate the problem of queuing in the sun or rain.”

During his speech, Deputy Minister Njabulo Nzuzu confirmed the news and added that five malls are already offering up space rent-free for a period of five years.

These five malls are:

-        Tyger Valley Mall in Cape Town

-        Menlyn Mall in Pretoria

-        Southgate Mall in Johannesburg

-        The Pavilion in eThekwini

-        Cresta Mall in Johannesburg

Besides Home Affairs offices, the public has also been able to make use of certain banks when applying for their smart ID cards and passports.

There are currently 28 bank branches connected to the Live Capture System.

As part of the Department’s vision, they hope that one day only birth and death certificates will require a walk-in visit at Home Affairs.

“Since the malls have to move some tenants around to make way for Home Affairs, we will install our equipment there around September this year. We shall start with the Menlyn Mall in Pretoria and then roll-out to the rest,” Motsoaledi expressed.

Image credit: The South African