Not such a good job

Harold Sandak-Lewin, Mouille Point

I noted the favourable comments of Sue Bross regarding her experience with Home Affairs service(“Good job, Home Affairs”, Atlantic Sun letters, March 14).

I have a different story to tell.

On June 8, 2016, a receipt was issued for R75 for a copy of my marriage certificate by Home Affairs, Cape Town Regional Office.

On January 10, 2017, I addressed a registered letter to the Department of Home Affairs, Private Bag X 9031, Cape Town correctly stamped with R25, referring to my receipt as aforementioned, with a copy attached, requesting urgent attention for legal purposes.

On February 20,
2017, the registered
letter was returned to
me unopened and on making a telephonic enquiry for the reason of the returned envelope I was advised that it should
have reflected the department at Home Affairs which was concerned with the matter.

Of course, simply opening the envelope would have revealed exactly which department the letter should have reached for attention. Names of various officials who could assist were obtained in Cape Town and Pretoria during 2017 and were telephoned on numerous occasions, all of whom offered to escalate the matter.

On March 27, 2019, I have still not received the document, nor a refund of my R75 now two years and nine months since the application.

So much for good service.

Atlantic Sun sent this letter to the Department of Home Affairs but they did not respond.