Home Affairs is a huge problem in South Africa as well outside of our country, this is such a shame as I am very proud to be called a South African.

My son lives in Vietnam, Da Lat city. on the 31st of June 2020 he app**** in Vietnam South African Foreign Affairs department for a certificate of No Impediment. When following up on this in Vietnam it was confirmed that South Africa Home affairs received this request. In November when we still have not heard anything from SA Home Affairs my son then provided an affidavit which my husband then took to the South African Home Affairs department in Pretoria to pick up this letter personally as it was becoming urgent. When he arrived there only to be told that SA Home Affairs do not have the certificate. My son then in Vietnam contact Home Affairs in Vietnam and on inquiry by their office the lady in charge for this in South Africa was in quarantine, surely there should have been someone else that could assist? It is now 15 January 2021 and my son is getting married on the 2nd of February in Vietnam and this certificate is vital, how long should be still wait for any news or this certificate. Not only did my son try to contact our Home Affairs offices I have been trying for a very long time as well. if you try around 08h00 in the morning you are lucky to get through only to be put on hold as their message say that they are experiencing a very high volume and you should be patient. if you are lucky you eventually get through to some one after about holding on for 45 to 50 minutes, and when the operator answers just to drop your call. I cannot believe that in this day and age we cannot even contact by email or telephonically our home affairs. Vietnam is also trying everything in their power to assist but South Africa Home Affairs is the problem as you can never speak physically to some one. Going there does not even help as you stand in long ques and eventually when you do get to speak to someone they just say they cannot assist you. This should be such a simple process to provide a certificate to give your marital status. I would appreciate if someone, anyone can assist as he is getting married on the 2nd of February and this marriage was already put on hold due to Covid-19 lockdowns, etc, but surely now that everyone can work from home and are working from home, could someone not just answer telephones, emails and provide us with this certificate.