Plans to relocate East London’s main home affairs office from the city centre to the upmarket Hemingways Mall have triggered public concern and political opposition, with critics warning the move could restrict access to essential services for low-income residents.
While officials say the proposed relocation — set to occupy more than 3,500m² in the mall’s east wing — will modernise operations and improve efficiency, residents and local leaders argue the change will increase travel distances, introduce paid-parking barriers and effectively push government services into a commercial space not easily accessible to all.
The main East London branch of home affairs is now on the corner of Fleet and Cambridge streets in the East London CBD.
The paid-parking ticketing system at the mall is worrying people.
But it is hoped the new office would improve shopper circulation.
The home affairs service centre, with the immigration office now situated in Bhisho, is said to be relocating to the newly renovated precinct of the mall.
Home affairs Buffalo City Metro and Amathole District co-ordinator Siphokazi Maramba confirmed the plans.
“Yes, they are in the pipeline. The whole office in the East London CBD will be moving, the back and front end office staff.”
But Maramba refused to provide more details.
Home affairs Buffalo City Metro and Amathole acting district operations manager Mxolisi Ntaba promised he would give a detailed response after it went “through all the channels”.
A visit to the Fleet Street office at noon on Monday revealed that the queues were limited, with seated clients waiting for assistance.
No-one was standing in long queues.
Gulu Mouth’s Nicolene Swanepoel, 52, said service at the office had improved and she had doubts about the mooted plans to move.
“I have no problem with this office, but I don’t know about the distance to Hemingways and whether there is enough space.
“It is quite big here, and maybe they will add more branches for people in Mdantsane and other areas like ours.
“The issue of parking will have to be addressed, obviously, because I can’t pay R150 for an ID and more [for parking].”
Student Malisole Dilingwa said Hemingways would be far for them.
“Most of us who are not from here come here with our IDs. I don’t know whether I can do an ID here but Hemingways is not central for everyone.”
The proposed area at Hemingways, which is next to a bank, a salon and a cellphone store, was cordoned off on Monday.
Hemingways general manager Nobulele Ncube could not be reached for comment.
Between 2018 and 2022, the existing home affairs office, which caters for people in East London and neighbouring towns and villages, was criticised by the public because of long queues and poor service.
This prompted former home affairs minister Malusi Gigaba to launch a “war on queues” campaign.
The initiative included strategies to improve service delivery, such as the branch appointment booking system and partnerships with banks to handle smart ID and passport applications.
The main East London office was one of the first to roll out the booking system in July 2022.
The system allows people applying for smart ID cards and passports to reserve hourly slots through the home affairs website.
DA councillor Anathi Majeke said the relocation from the Fleet Street CBD to Hemingways Mall was concerning for transport and accessibility.
“For those with private vehicles or who live closer to Hemingways, the mall location might be more convenient, this will further alienate those who come from the townships and rural areas.
“While the move to Hemingways Mall offers advantages in terms of parking, safety and modern facilities, particularly for those with private transport and individuals with physical disabilities within the mall itself, the most significant concern revolves around the accessibility via public transport for the broader East London populace, especially those in less affluent areas.”
The success of this move will heavily depend on how effectively public transport routes adapt to serve the new location and if the department implements additional measures to support citizens facing transport barriers.
The EFF leader in BCM, Mziyanda Hlekiso, said the party rejected the move.
“It is a wrong move, especially for the disadvantaged, and must be condemned. The privileged do things online.
“Not everyone will be able to access home affairs if it is in Hemingways, and those who are driving must still pay for parking. We will never support this move.”
Hemingways Mall, the largest shopping centre in the Border area, has been undergoing major renovations since its sale to Hangar 18 Investments early in 2024.
After losing its Pick n Pay store in October 2024, the mall revealed plans to remodel the area, cutting up the “box” — the store area — to include several new retailers.
The mall was once one of the jewels of Sisa Ngebulana’s Billion Group, but when it hit trouble ownership moved to Rebosis, which in turn put it into business rescue.
The mall started trading 15 years ago. Five of the Rebosis malls were sold to Hangar 18 in December 2023.
Daily Dispatch
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