‘Home Affairs Was Publicly Called Horror Affairs’ – Dlamini-Zuma Recalls Department’s Troubled Past

Former South African minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has recalled the challenges facing the Department of Home Affairs during her tenure, when the institution was widely criticised by members of the public and earned the notorious nickname “Horror Affairs”.

Dlamini-Zuma, who previously served as Home Affairs Minister, spoke about the department’s difficult reputation and the efforts made to improve its public image and service delivery.

“When we got to Home Affairs, it was called by the public ‘Horror Affairs’,” she recalled, highlighting the negative perception that had surrounded the department.

The nickname reflected years of frustration among South Africans who experienced lengthy queues, delays in receiving identity documents and passports, and difficulties accessing essential government services. Corruption and weaknesses in administrative systems also contributed to concerns about the department’s effectiveness.

Dlamini-Zuma’s recollections highlight the scale of the challenges that confronted officials tasked with restoring public confidence in an institution responsible for managing citizens’ identities, immigration matters and vital documentation.

During her tenure, she worked with communications specialist Ronnie Mamoepa, whose contribution to communicating the department’s activities and improving its public image was later recognised.

At Mamoepa’s memorial service in July 2017, Dlamini-Zuma paid tribute to his role in helping transform the department’s image. She recalled that he had initially questioned the move to Home Affairs but eventually embraced the responsibility of communicating its work to the public.

She also described how Mamoepa used innovative communication strategies to promote the department’s services and reach wider audiences.

The transformation effort formed part of broader attempts to move Home Affairs away from its reputation for inefficiency and towards more accessible, reliable public services.

However, the department’s historical difficulties remain a reminder of the importance of tackling corruption, strengthening accountability and ensuring that public servants deliver services efficiently.

For ordinary South Africans, Home Affairs is more than an administrative institution. Its services are essential for obtaining identity documents, registering births, applying for passports and accessing opportunities that require official identification.

Dlamini-Zuma’s account therefore highlights the significance of restoring public trust in government institutions and ensuring that administrative failures do not undermine citizens’ ability to access essential services.

The “Horror Affairs” label became a symbol of public dissatisfaction, illustrating how poor service delivery can damage an institution’s credibility and reinforce demands for meaningful reform.

Source; Linkhttps://x.com/_SMWX/status/2109562560211279902

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