Inefficient

Arrived at Home affairs 5.30 am. After a long period of waiting I overheard a security officer (mall security) tell another man who was about to also cue outside the offices that he had to cue outside the mall (unsafe given the area). There was NO signage stating this and the security did not even inform those waiting despite seeing us. I had to run after the security and then inform others waiting who were now far along in the cue due to this delay.

After waiting outside for a few hours you are allocated a number (I was 33+34), you then are allowed inside the mall to cue outside the offices. At 8am they then proceeded to allow all over 70's in (I have no problem with this) then all new ID applicants (Numbers in the 90+'s). This resulted in my new number being 112 as those who had arrived well after me where now ahead for photographs and finger prints. The man allocating the second number also checked I had all the "correct documentation" (reception). I had used the online e-application process and submitted all paperwork and paid a month or so prior to visiting the office. Once My daughter and I had done the photographs/finger prints we were sent to the next cue (applications). Here I completed my Smart Id application but they would not accept my daughters passport application without her father present. I do not have contact with him but had managed to get him to send me certified ID , Power of attorney and an amendment to my maintenance order as well as signed their permission for a minor to travel form. As stated this had all been submitted online a month or so prior and I had received no feedback that this was not in order. I had also noted on their application that it stated that if the other parent is not available you complete a special conditions clause... This is NOT the case. If you try argue they tell you not to get abusive !!!! Really - after a morning of being treated like cattle. I asked to speak to a supervisor and was told to chat to a man in a yellow/ orange coat. He was dismissive and not willing to talk to me despite me requesting that he give me some attention (as I did not want to divulge my life story to everyone around. He did not offer me the courtesy and continued a 3 way conversation between myself and another lady he was assisting. Needless to say I feel that the system is VERY flawed and you are given a run around. If you try and phone any of the provided numbers there is no answer and if it is you are transferred to another number which is not answered. If you ask them to refund your R400 in light of the fact that they cannot offer you what you paid for they tell you "you paid the bank not us"....