Steps taken against home affairs staff who abandoned public

Disciplinary action will be taken against officials at home affair's Akasia office who walked out last Thursday, leaving residents in queues outside without assistance, the department announced.

- Trott Chaane

Spokesperson Thulani Mavuso said the staff left without authorisation, despite being provided with masks to continue working after concerns about lingering smoke from the recent Pretoria North tyre factory fire.

"Officials left the office without authorisation, leaving only four behind. As a result, they are facing disciplinary action.

"We cannot tolerate disruptions to service delivery, particularly when members of the public have travelled and queued for long hours to be assisted," Mavuso said.

The department confirmed a contingency plan was immediately activated.

Four additional officials from the Tshwane district management office were dispatched to Akasia to assist with collections. At the same time, arrangements were made with other home affairs branches in Tshwane to accommodate residents needing to submit applications.