South Africa: New System Piloted At Marabastad Refugee Reception Office

Source: SAnews.gov.za (Tshwane), 14/04/2016

South Africa: New System Piloted At Marabastad Refugee Reception Office
SAnews.gov.za (Tshwane) 11 April 2016
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.