As the corruption-riddled home affairs department begins a path to renewal, it can be assured of unwavering support from a public long yearning for excellent service.

As the corruption-riddled home affairs department begins a path to renewal, it can be assured of unwavering support from a public long yearning for excellent service.

The re-engineering process will undoubtedly provide it with a golden opportunity to re-invent itself and rid itself of rotten apples. Though the exercise will cost taxpayers millions, it will be money well spent - to restore public confidence in a department that had lost credibility in and outside government.

The tough-as-nails reputation of AT Kearney, a world-renowned company that helped the South African Revenue Services reach profitable margins, assures the department of a desirable outcome that will help it meet its public mandate.

But the process will not be without pain. Old habits will come under scrutiny; holy cows will be sacrificed; change will be traumatic; and heads will definitely have to roll in the end.

Thereafter change will foist new challenges on the department's administration, requiring that bold decisions be made.

What is important, though, is for the department to implement the changes proposed by the consultants without favour.

Government departments have a tendency to engage companies to remedy their ills but later losing their grip in sustaining the new changes. This must not be allowed to happen.