The City of Cape Town’s Corporate Services and Economic Growth Directorates intend to request Council’s approval next month to enter into a lease agreement with the National Department of Home Affairs to establish an appointment-only office at the Civic Centre in Cape Town.
This after the City was approached by the Ministry of Home Affairs, via the Office of the Mayor.
The proposed facility will be located on the second floor of the Civic Centre.
Once the lease agreement is in place, the Department of Home Affairs will be granted early occupation to commence with internal construction and operational readiness activities.
The item is scheduled to be submitted to Council for consideration and approval in March, if all goes as planned.
The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Corporate Services, Theresa Uys, says 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 Council’s nod of approval for this very important collaboration that will definitely go a long way in improving access to essential services. 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.”
The City’s Property Transactions Department is busy finalising the lease agreement.
The Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber, expressed his eagerness to get going on this project.
“The establishment of a modern new Home Affairs office at the Cape Town Civic Centre, as an alternative to the busy office in Barrack Street, demonstrates our commitment to delivering for the people of Cape Town. It also represents yet another significant milestone in the implementation of the Home Affairs@home reforms, which are 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.”
