While Parliament has confirmed plans for a permanent Department of Home Affairs office to open in Atlantis, thousands of residents continue to face uncertainty, poor communication and long waiting times as they rely on temporary services.
The closure of the Home Affairs office at the Thusong Centre at the end of January this year has left residents in the area dependent on mobile services. National Coloured Congress (NCC) councillor, Anastasia Davids, said residents have received little certainty about when a permanent office will become a reality. ” Many residents have heard rumours about the new offices, but unfortunately, Home Affairs did not answer our questions. The latest update we received is that they plan to continue services at the Avondale Civic Hall parking area on Tuesdays and Thursdays only,” she said. The NCC has continued engaging with the department and raising residents’ concerns.
Residents have also taken to Facebook, saying the temporary arrangement is unacceptable and unfair, with long queues, limited services, insufficient staff capacity, and people being turned away every day. “People are standing in long queues, being turned away, missing work, missing school and spending money on transport they cannot afford. With winter here, our people must sit in the cold and rainy weather while waiting for services,” said Davids. One frustrated resident commented on social media: “Is twice a week the best they can do?” Davids said poor communication has added to residents’ frustrations.
“The community was not properly informed about the lease ending, the service disruptions, or what the future plans are. People should not have to rely on rumours to find out what is happening.” She said pensioners, job seekers, learners and low-income families have been hardest hit, as many cannot afford transport to Home Affairs offices in neighbouring towns like Malmesbury.
ANC Member of Parliament Cameron Dugmore, said he raised the matter in Parliament after being approached by local ANC structures and former councillors about the impending closure of the Atlantis office. In a written reply to a parliamentary question from Dugmore, the Minister of Home Affairs confirmed that the department intends to open a permanent Home Affairs office at Atlantis Mall on 1 October 2026. According to the department, the office has been delayed because the lease agreement still needs to be finalised and renovations to the premises must be completed. Once operational, the new office will offer services such as smart ID card and passport applications and collections, temporary identity certificates, birth, marriage and death registrations, and amendments to civic records. Jacqueline McFarlane, centre manager of Atlantis City Mall, confirmed that a lease agreement has been signed by the Department of Home Affairs.
“The concerns raised by residents, as well as discussions on community platforms, highlighted the serious implications for Atlantis residents,” said Dugmore. He committed to monitor progress closely. “The delays by Public Works in securing the lease are not acceptable. I will engage both the Departments of Home Affairs and Public Works at the end of August to assess progress. Should there be further delays, I am prepared to escalate the matter to the Presidency,” he said. “We will continue pushing for answers and a permanent solution,” Davids added.
