Poor service #@department of home affairs

I have been married in South Africa for the past 8 years and have 1 child. I have tried on numerous occasions to get my permanent residence permit approved to no success. I have been taken from pillar to post, we recently divorced with my husband and things have become even more tougher trying to get my permit, not to mention the emotional trauma that comes with it as i am unable to get a job and take care of my child. The worst part is through all the process of trying to acquire the permit, i have already lost so much money as well (N/B: I have never tried to acquire a permit through bribe).