The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has condemned an incident at its Tyger Valley branch in Cape Town after a video showing a woman being forcibly removed from the premises circulated widely on social media last week.
In a statement, the department described the incident as “distressing” and “unacceptable” and confirmed that an internal investigation is under way.
DHA said the woman did not have a valid appointment on its official booking system and was allegedly misled into purchasing an appointment slot through a third party. The department reiterated that Home Affairs appointments are free of charge and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, warning the public that the sale of appointment slots is illegal.
Meanwhile, the woman seen in the video, Kaashiefa Koli, has disputed DHA’s version of events. She told VOC News that she secured her appointment directly through the official DHA website and did not pay any third party.
Koli said she received a confirmation number for an appointment scheduled for 22 January and was denied entry to the branch despite presenting proof of the booking. She further alleged that she was physically assaulted during the incident.
According to Koli, she has opened a case with the South African Police Service and obtained a medical certificate.
The incident has prompted renewed calls for the Department of Home Affairs to review security protocols and appointment management procedures, amid ongoing concerns over booking scams at Home Affairs offices.
VOC News
Photo: Screengrab
