The Department of Home Affairs office in Paarl has been forced to suspend operations following a incident in which a staff member was allegedly bitten and assaulted by an enraged client on Wednesday, 23 July.
According to eyewitness accounts, the incident took place when a male visitor refused to submit required documents and became verbally aggressive.
Tensions quickly escalated, with the man reportedly attacking another client – a woman believed to be affiliated with a political party – before turning on a female Home Affairs employee who tried to intervene.
During the scuffle, the suspect allegedly bit the staff member, resulting in visible injuries.
While another employee managed to restrain the man, police were called and arrived shortly after, taking him into custody.
Operations halted
Following the assault, the Paarl Home Affairs office was immediately evacuated and closed, leaving residents unable to access essential services such as ID applications, birth certificates, and travel documents.
Authorities have not confirmed when the office will reopen.
No official statement has yet been issued by the Department of Home Affairs or provincial representatives.
Police respond, investigation underway
Local police confirmed the arrest and have opened a case.
The motive behind the client’s outburst remains under investigation.
Sources say the suspect was visibly agitated before the incident and had become increasingly confrontational when asked to comply with standard procedures.
The closure of the Paarl office has caused concern among those with appointments, particularly those with urgent documentation needs.
Many are now left in limbo, unsure when services will resume or where to turn in the interim.
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