Pathetic Service - Department of Home Affairs, Centurion

I made an online appointment to renew my Passport for Thursday, 14 November, 12h00-13h00 at the DHA in Centurion. I would have preferred to make my booking through the bank, but I was experiencing system errors, so I had to go through the department.

I got there before time, thinking that I would be done within reasonable time to get back to a very busy work day.

I was greeted by rude employees as I was unsure which queue to go to. There are 4 queues to this process.

1. Get a ticket number 2. Take your photo 3. Do the application 4. Pay

It was way passed 12pm, and I was still waiting in the photo queue. I mentioned to an employee that I made an appointment and need to get back to work, and she said "so did everyone else, and I will just have to wait"

There was a lady that sat in Photo Booth 2. She had short hair and wore a purple pleated skirt that day. She was extremely rude to me, and to another lady with a baby, who had to fetch her child from school. She was also waiting for a very long time. I only got back to work after 2pm

There is no system, they don't go according to number sequence, and the service is deplorable. The staff behind the counters engage in conversation and laughter with each other while we wait, take their time to attend to us, and then close their counter and go to lunch, with no substitute to cover for them

Government workers are lazy, arrogant and feel entitled. They get a good salary with excellent benefits, hence they cushy and comfortable where they are

We try to give our government the benefit of the doubt, but they make it very difficult to have faith in them Our South African Government is only here to milk money from innocent people and for their benefit

I collected my Passport on Friday, 20 Dec. I got there before it opened. There was no parking but I was harassed by guys on the road to park on the pavement, which I refused. They found a spot for me, but asked me for R50, because it's Friday and the Festive Season.

When I walked in, another guy approached me, and said that I wouldn't have to wait in the queue, and would get my passport immediately if I paid him R300. I already paid R600 for my passport, and now R300 to collect it. This is absurd, and I refused. What is this world coming to?

One would think that collections would be much quicker, but it took me 2 hours, and I only got to work after 10am

I renewed my drivers license last year at the Gautrain Station, and that was quick and painless.

We are continuously paying to renew stuff. The least the government can do is make it simple and hassle free

I will never go to that department again. The worst experience ever.