Pretoria – The Department of Home Affairs has introduced a new application system at its Marabastad centre in Pretoria, to ease the process for foreign nationals applying for permits and asylum documents.
Introduced at the end of January, the newly introduced box system has brought some relief to foreign nationals as they no longer have to stand in long queues to get their documents processed. It has also put a halt on corrupt activities.
The box system allows foreign nationals to drop their applications or expired permits inside boxes provided by the department and then security guards collect the boxes take them to officials inside the centre for processing.
The guards return a few hours later with newly printed permits. They read out the names and owners collect them and leave.
Foreign nationals arriving at the centre to renew their asylum permits no longer queue to submit their papers to officials.
This has reduced the waiting time to only a few hours.
Home Affairs spokesperson Thabo Mokgola told SAnews on Monday that the new system was being piloted at the Marabastad centre, and it could be extended to other centres in the country.
Mokgola said the department had constantly been looking for ways to improve on its services, especially to foreign nationals.
“We had some challenges in terms of how we can assist foreign nationals to acquire their documentations, hence the introduction of the box system. Our plan is to have the system applied in other provinces,” he said.
The introduction of the system came after Minister of Home Affairs, Malusi Gigaba, announced last year his department’s plan to solved the problems at the Marabastad Refugee Reception Office.
President Jacob Zuma visited the Marabastad centre earlier this year and foreign nationals were able to raise various issues. Most of the foreign nationals complained that some officials were demanding bribes in order for them to be assisted.
In his response, President Zuma said he would report the issues raised to Parliament and to the Home Affairs Minister.
The centre is also expected to receive a facelift later this year. – SAnews.gov.za
