The City of Cape Town has officially handed over space at the Civic Centre for a new 'appointment-only' Home Affairs office, which will be based on the second floor of the Civic Centre on Hertzog Boulevard, positioned next to the City's cash office. The new office is positioned to be easily accessible via multiple transport options, including trains, minibus taxis, and the MyCiTi bus service, making it easier for residents to reach services.
Alderman Theresa Uys, Mayoral Committee Member for Corporate Services, said the handover reflects a practical step towards improving service delivery in the city centre. She pointed out that the Civic Centre's central location and accessibility make it an ideal location for the new office. The new Home Affairs office is part of the department's broader 'Home Affairs @ home' strategy, which aims to bring services closer to where people live and work.
Construction work to prepare the space will begin shortly. Building activities are scheduled to take place after hours, over weekends, and on public holidays to minimize disruption to Civic Centre visitors. This is expected to reduce congestion and allow the office to become operational without causing undue inconvenience to others.
Alderman James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, said the initiative reflects a broader focus on using City-owned property more efficiently. He described the agreement as an example of good governance in action, where public assets are used to maximize value for residents while supporting improved service delivery. The agreement is a result of the City's Economic Growth Directorate and Corporate Services working together to secure Council approval for the lease agreement that enables the project.
According to Minister of Home Affairs Dr Leon Schreiber, the new office will operate on an appointment-only basis, aiming to reduce long queues and streamline service delivery for residents. The department's bank branch collaboration has already expanded to 171 branches nationwide, processing over 182,000 Smart ID applications in under three months. This demonstrates the benefits of decentralising services and improving convenience for citizens, while also restoring dignity through reduced queues and easier access.
The new office is expected to open before the end of July 2026. Once operational, it will offer key Home Affairs services to residents. This will help to make services more accessible and convenient for citizens, which is a key goal of the 'Home Affairs @ home' strategy.
Minister of Home Affairs Dr Leon Schreiber said the results of their bank branch collaboration show the benefits of providing citizens with improved access to convenient home affairs services. He noted that the collaboration has already led to a significant reduction in long queues and easier access to services. The Minister expressed hope that the new office will further improve the quality of service delivery for residents.
According to the City, the construction work to prepare the space will be carried out in a way that minimises disruption to Civic Centre visitors. The City is committed to providing a convenient and hassle-free experience for residents accessing Home Affairs services.
The Civic Centre is a well-known public building in the city centre, making it easily accessible via multiple transport options, including trains, minibus taxis, and the MyCiTi bus service. The City's decision to locate the Home Affairs office at the Civic Centre is likely to make services more accessible and convenient for citizens.