Cape Town's new Home Affairs office aims to streamline service delivery

The City of Cape Town plans to seek approval from the Council in March to enter into a lease with the National Department of Home Affairs for a new office at the Civic Centre, located in the central business district (CBD).

The request will be made by the City’s Corporate Services and Economic Growth Directorate. 

Mayoral committee member for Corporate Services, Theresa Uys, said the City was approached by the Ministry of Home Affairs via the office of the Mayor to establish an appointment-only Home Affairs office. 

Uys said this initiative forms part of a collaborative effort between the City of Cape Town and National Government to improve access to essential civic services for residents.

The location of the offices is proposed to be on the second floor of the Civic Centre. This would mean the Department of  Home Affairs would enter into a lease agreement with the City to secure the space. 

Uys said upon conclusion of the lease, the Department would be granted early occupation in order to commence internal construction and operational readiness activities.

“Once established, this dedicated Home Affairs office will enhance service delivery by providing Cape Town residents with streamlined, appointment-based access to key national government services within a centrally located City facility. We are eager to get the Council’s nod of approval for this very important collaboration that will definitely go a long way in improving access to essential services,” Uys said. 

“The Civic Centre is ideally located with great access to public transport services, such as the MyCiTi bus service, Station Deck minibus-taxi facility, and Cape Town station at its doorstep, and provides visitors with a safe and dignified environment for conducting their business, Uys added. 

The City’s Property Transactions Department is busy finalising the lease agreement.

According to the mayoral committee member for Economic Growth, Alderman James Vis said this intended property transaction demonstrated good governance. 

“By optimising our property assets, we ensure that City-owned land and buildings are leveraged in a way that delivers the greatest possible benefit to communities, supports economic activity, and unlocks long-term value for residents,” Vos said.

Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber, said the establishment of a modern and new Home Affairs office, as an alternative to the busy offices in Barrack Street in the CBD, demonstrated its commitment to delivering to people. 

“It also represents yet another significant milestone in the implementation of the Home Affairs @ home reforms, which is focused on bringing essential services closer to where people live. By locating our services in an accessible and well-connected public facility, we are making it easier for residents to access critical documentation in a safe, efficient, and respectful environment. 

“This partnership with the City of Cape Town reflects our commitment to work together to modernise service delivery and ensure that every person, regardless of where they live, can experience a reformed Home Affairs that delivers dignity for all,”  Schreiber said.

The public will be notified of any further information once the proposal has been delivered to Council.

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