Enough is enough – start answering the phones

THERE are few things in life as frustrating as trying to contact a local government department in Kimberley. Whether it’s the municipality, Home Affairs, or even emergency services, the experience is often the same: outdated numbers on official websites, endless ringing with no answer, or worse – numbers that no longer exist.

One would think that in an era of modern communication, reaching a government office would be easier than ever. Instead, it has become a test of patience that many people simply give up on. And that’s exactly the problem: why should the public have to “give up” when government departments are supposed to serve them? Public servants are paid to serve – yet in Kimberley, they are failing miserably.

Imagine someone trying to report a dangerous water leak to the municipality. Or a resident urgently needing help from Home Affairs to sort out a documentation issue. Or a small business owner attempting to avoid penalties by contacting the licensing department. When these calls go unanswered, it’s not just inconvenient – it can have serious consequences.

It is unacceptable that a government meant to serve its people operates with such inefficiency and a lack of responsibility. 

The bigger issue here is accountability. The people assigned to monitor these lines should be held responsible. Departments should conduct regular audits to ensure contact details are up to date and that someone is always available to take calls during office hours.

What is the point of having contact numbers if no one is going to answer them? Are some departments simply pretending to be accessible while making it as difficult as possible for the public to reach them?

The public deserves better. Kimberley deserves better. Ignoring calls, failing to update contact information, and leaving residents in the dark is not just poor service – it’s a disgrace.

Those in charge must either step up and do their jobs or step aside for someone who truly understands what it means to serve the people.

Enough is enough. Fix the system. Start answering the phones.