Appointment Disregard: FNB's Failure to Honor Commitments

I had scheduled an appointment for my passport application on August 8th. However, the day prior, an FNB representative contacted me and informed me that my appointment might be affected by the ongoing taxi strikes. They mentioned that a decision would be made in the morning.

On the following day, I received no communication, so I proceeded to the Green Point branch. To my disappointment, the branch was closed. FNB has been uncooperative in finding a solution, insisting that I either reschedule my appointment or endure a visit to the home affairs office. Their unwillingness to assist and their attempt to shift the responsibility onto me is extremely disappointing.

For those fami**** with the appointment process, securing a slot is a complex task, requiring daily form submissions and a hopeful outlook for an available slot, often months in advance. Due to the challenges posed by the problematic home affairs website, it took me approximately six weeks to secure the initial appointment. This has already extended the entire appointment timeline to 2.5 months. This implies that if I choose to proceed with FNB, the entire process would have taken a frustrating 3.5 months to secure my appointment. Their actions have not only inconvenienced me but have also placed me at a distinct disadvantage. Opting for the home affairs route from the outset might have proven to be a quicker approach

I would like to emphasize that while I comprehend the circumstances that led to the cancelling of the initial appointment, my concern lies in two critical aspects. Firstly, their failure to communicate with me on the day of the appointment is deeply disheartening. Secondly, my dissatisfaction stems from their lack of proactive efforts to rectify the situation, as they appear to be shifting responsibility without taking steps to resolve the issue at hand.