On Friday, April 8, my daughter and I joined the queue at the Alberton Home Affairs to apply for her first ID document.
We patiently queued and the line progressed slowly until 11:00, when we joined the queue for finger- printing. We sat for over two hours and the queue did not move.
I went to enquiries and asked if there was a problem and the lady explained that the finger print machine was not working. I suggested that one teller move to another of the five available machines and she referred me to the supervisor.
I stood outside the empty office for 10 minutes and then returned to the enquiries counter where I was advised that the supervisors were all in Germiston for the day. I again explained that the queue was not moving and was told, I quote: “Do you know where your seat is? Go sit in it now!” I was horrified and asked the lady for her name. She refused. I asked again and she put her finger in my face and said ‘I don’t have a name for you’.
I explained that I was having to leave now and had wasted a whole day (I had to take leave from work) and asked her to sign on my number tag that I had been waiting for two hours. She refused and then left. I watched her walk to another counter where she pointed to me and laughed. She then started walking back and I took a photo of her. I said to her that even though I did not know her name, I was sure that her manager would recognise her, and left.
I have been dealing with Alberton Home Affairs for about 20 years now and have always found them to be extremely helpful and polite.
I am disgusted at the way that I was treated and by the fact that I will now have to take another day’s leave to apply for my daughter’s ID document.
Comment:
The RECORD contacted Alberton Home Affairs, and the calls were never once answered, then several emails were exchanged and a photo of the staff member in question was sent to one of the managers. After more than a month since receiving the letter, we have gotten no feedback from anyone.
