Proposed Home Affairs office in CBD aims to reduce long queues

Cape Town residents could soon benefit from a new, centrally located Home Affairs office, with plans underway to establish an appointment-only facility at the Cape Town Civic Centre.

The City of Cape Town is preparing to seek Council approval in March 2026 to lease space at the Civic Centre on Hertzog Boulevard in the CBD to the National Department of Home Affairs. 

The proposal follows an approach from the Ministry of Home Affairs, via the office of the mayor, to open a dedicated Home Affairs service point within the City-owned building.

If approved, the new office will be located on the second floor of the civic centre.

The facility is intended to serve as a modern and more accessible alternative to the high-volume Barrack Street branch, which has long experienced service pressures, said a City statement, released on Thursday, February 5.

According to the City, the initiative forms part of a broader collaboration between the City of Cape Town and the national government to improve access to essential civic services for residents. 

The City’s Corporate Services and Economic Growth Directorates will jointly submit the proposed lease agreement to Council for consideration.

Once the lease is finalised, the Department of Home Affairs will be granted early occupation of the space to allow for internal construction and operational readiness ahead of opening.

The civic centre’s central location has been highlighted as a key advantage. 

The building is well connected to public transport, including the MyCiTi bus route, the Station Deck minibus-taxi facility and Cape Town station, making it easily accessible for residents from across the metro, said the statement.

The City’s mayoral committee member for corporate services, Theresa Uys, said the proposed office would strengthen service delivery while offering residents a dignified environment in which to conduct official business.

“Once established, this dedicated Home Affairs office will enhance service delivery by providing Cape Town residents with streamlined, appointment-based access to key national government services within a centrally located City facility,” she said.

She said that the City was eager to receive Council’s approval for what she described as an important intergovernmental collaboration.

Behind the scenes, the City’s Property Transactions Department is finalising the lease agreement, which forms part of a wider strategy to optimise the use of municipal assets.

James Vos, the City’s mayoral  committee member for economic growth, said the intended property transaction reflects a governance approach focused on long-term community benefit.

By leveraging City-owned land and buildings effectively, the City aims to deliver maximum value to communities, support economic activity and unlock sustainable benefits for residents, said Mr Vos.

The national government has also welcomed the proposed development.

Minister of Home Affairs Dr Leon Schreiber said the planned civic centre office was a significant milestone in the department’s reform programme.

He said the new facility would help ease pressure on the busy Barrack Street office while advancing the Home Affairs @ home reforms vision, which aims to bring services closer to where people live and improve the overall service experience.

Further information is expected to be shared once the proposal has been formally considered by Council.

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