Development model to improve service delivery
KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala has encouraged local government departments to become part of the District Development Model (DDM) to enhance service delivery.
‘We want to encourage partnership between national, provincial and local government.
'The partnership can only be done under the DDM and can save resources,’ said Zikalala.
He addressed the media during his Operation Siyahlola programme aimed at assessing the quality of services being rendered to communities.
Zikalala made an unannounced visit to Empangeni Home Affairs on Tuesday. He was accompanied by uMhlathuze Mayor Mduduzi Mhlongo and King Cetshwayo District Mayor, Lindo Phungula.
‘If government departments work together, we will see much improvement in service delivery. It is clear that they can do much better if we can improve on some aspects of management,’ Zikalala said.
He further explained that his visit was triggered by a report that many people have to begin queueing as early as 4am, and some return home without having received help.
Home Affairs management told Zikalala they processed about 150 applications a day.
There are only two counters and their system allows each counter to process no more than 28 applications per day, but they do their best to process more applications by using other counters and offices.
Zikalala was not impressed with the location of the Home Affairs offices, saying it was on wetland and he believed that during heavy rains it becomes flooded. Officials pointed out that people did not have shelter to avoid getting wet.
Zikalala promised to engage with the Department of Public Works to address the shelter issue.
‘We will also engage with the Department of Home Affairs on the issue of the system which needs to be improved, to avoid a situation where people have to return home without getting the help they need,’ Zikalala said.