- Home affairs offices in malls were affected by the unrest in KwaZulu-Natal.
- Eshowe was one of the offices damaged, and equipment was also stolen.
- More than 50 offices were closed due to the unrest.
More than 50 home affairs offices were closed due to the unrest in KwaZulu-Natal, with some damaged in the riots.
The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs visited the Eshowe home affairs office on Monday as part of an oversight visit to the province. The offices in Eshowe, Impendle and Vulamehlo were damaged during the unrest.
The main entrance doors, windows and security gates of the Eshowe office, which caters to more than 350 000 people from Eshowe, Nkandla and Melmoth, were damaged in the riots. Computers, scanners and other equipment were stolen.
Offices closed during the unrest have since been reopened.
Home Affairs Deputy Minister Njabulo Nzuza told committee members that during the looting of shops, home affairs offices situated in shopping malls were affected the most as staff could not go to work.
The committee said in a statement:
Mosa Chabane, the leader of the delegation and acting chairperson, said the committee was impressed with the speed at which offices had become functional again.
"The staff [were] able to source equipment and machines from other offices and today, whilst the committee was there, they were setting up the smart card machine. The staff…were involved in the cleaning up of the offices. We are optimistic that the department is committed to render their civic services fully operational (sic) and commend them for their dedication and commitment to the affected communities," Chabane said.
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