Lodge a claim

Dear Mr. Myburg RE: FORMAL COMPLAINT AGAINST ONE OF YOUR OFFICIAL ELBIE VERHOOG WORKING AT MONTAGU COURT DEALING WITH LETTERS OF AUTHORITY IN OUR AREA. I, Victor Gwebityala, the undersigned plaintiff do hereby formally lodging a complaint of poor service, non-Batho Pele Principles and for being undermined by a government servant whilst on public office. Background; 1. Few months ago, I lost my mother and one of the policies required a letter of authority so that the insurance company can make the payment which I lodged, therefore I was advised to apply for such letter at a nearest Department of Justice and in my case it was Montagu court.

2. On the 24th August 2018, I visited the said court seeking for an assistance in getting the above said letter and when I got there, I was attended by Elsie Verhoog who informed me that I should bring the following documents (ID, death certificate of my mother and my ID) so that she can proceed with my application. She concluded by saying, once I get all the aforesaid documents, and then I should visit her. Please note that she did not give me a specific day of date as it was the case when I went back.

3. On Monday 3rd September 2018, I went back to Elsie Verhoog as per instructions because all the required documents were in my position. When I got there (court), I met Elsie Verhoog and Bulelwa Sizana; and I told Bulelwa that I was there to see the lady she was with (Elsie Verhoog). Hearing from a distance, Elsie Verhoog informed Bulelwa that she won’t see/help me and I must comeback only on Fridays and that’s where she does applications for the requested letter. I kept quiet pretending that I was hearing her (Elsie).

4. Bulelwa could not immediately inform me about what was said by Elsie Verhoog as I assumed that she thought Elise can change her mind but few minutes later Elsie loudly instructed Bulelwa that she must informed me that she won’t help me that day and I come on Friday. Bulelwa approached me and when she get to me, I just said to her ‘’its fine sisi, I overheard everything) then I left.

5. On Friday 7/9/2018, I once again visited the said court to see Elsie Verhoog and luckily I met her. a) She let me wait for +-10 minutes as she was making herself tea/coffee, touching here and there etc. Batho Pele Principles where not adhered. b) When she was done, she came and asked; how can I help you? I just calmed myself as I was in need of that letter because she could have asked the question in the first time before she let me wait for something that she doesn’t know. c) She continued dragged her legs as she was printing one form at a time and completes it then prints another one until she done. d) When she was done, she informed me that she is NOT the one who approved these letters and I will be contacted once the letter is ready for collection. I adhered to that as I was respecting her job/work.

6. A week later I called to find out whether the letter was ready as I was starting to panic; only to find out that she was on a two weeks course and she was the only person who can give me direction about the status of my application. I immediately requested to speak with her (Elsie) superior because it was too much now and I was given to Mrs. C Pekeur whom I reported my bad experience and service that I’ve received from Elsie Verhoog. Mrs. Pekeur said, she was going to make a follow-up with her (Elsie) and hear how far she is with my application as she was the only person who deals with such letters. This statement was a contradicting what Elsie said as she claimed that she doesn’t approved the said letter.

Intervention required; Frankly, I am dismayed by the manner which I was treated by the said public servant whom I see as someone who does not care about; 1. Her job 2. The purpose of that office and the level of service that is required from public servants because if it was not the colour of my skin, I promise you that she could have acted quicker. Furthermore, the very sad part here was that I had to use my last money to go up and down because I was the one who needed the letter. I therefore, request the following action to be taken against the said perpetrator; 1. An investigation to be done about the above said to check if I had to wait for so long to receive the above-mentioned letter? 2. Are these letters only done ONL on Fridays? If so, why there is not signage inside the building notifying us constituencies about that? 3. Who approves these letters if not Elsie as she claims that she was not the person? 4. Lastly, even though the following won’t equivalent the time, money and energy I wasted but justice will be served for what I lost; and therefore, I would like to request a disciplinary action to be taken against Elsie Verhoog as she failed me as the public servant. NB: I will be patiently waiting for a response and further note that I am waiting now for a month to get the said letter. For any clarity, please feel free to contact me as per contact details provided above. Regards,

_______________________ Mr. Victor Gwebityala A DISMAYED CITIZEN