Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has promised to clean up the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) and complete delayed projects.
Addressing concerns about the new passport system in her budget vote speech before Parliament, Dlamini-Zuma said problems were caused by inefficient staff within the department.
During the 2008/9 financial year, the department undertook to implement a new passport system to replace the outdated one, whose antiquated printing system had become dysfunctional, she said. The new passport printing machine was commissioned on 8 April 2009 and was set to issue passports with high security features.
“Unfortunately, official tardiness in putting in place an effective personal information processing system that matches the high security requirements of the passport resulted in the creation of a backlog in the issuance of passports to citizens. The department undertakes that there will be no backlog by end of July 2009; we will be back to our normal flow.”
While not revealing any detailed plans, the minister stated no more delays would be experienced and all outstanding projects would be completed.
“It is also essential that we introduce the often postponed ID smart card for the convenience of citizens and for improved document security. Delays in the administration of the tender by the State IT Agency derailed the plan.”
She explained the DHA was “looking at the most effective way of getting the process back on track”. Dlamini-Zuma added the intervening period would be used to continue the clean-up of the Home Affairs National Information Systems database, and complete the conversion and transfer of all citizen records into the system.
Security boost
Dlamini-Zuma said the department's priorities would be to implement processes which would improve the security of documents.
This would include the introduction of new security features in identity documents such as digitalised photographs; the roll out of live capture stations to the department's 13 busiest offices; the expansion of its online fingerprint verification system; and an upgrade of the electronic document management system.
Dlamini-Zuma said corruption is still a major concern and more effective measures would be employed to improve processes.
“The transformation of the department will not happen overnight. It started a couple of years ago and it will take several more years to complete. This has to encompass people, processes, policy, technology and legislation if need be. Focusing on one area without others will be futile.”
Patrolling borders
The minister said the overall management and approach of immigration affairs would be reviewed, including legislative framework, processes and systems. The department will then present the details of its review strategy to Parliament.
The minister said technological advances would allow the DHA to carry out its immigration functions. She noted that the Advanced Passenger Processing system, a biometric verification and seamless integrated movement control system, would allow it to effectively regulate and control the movement of persons.
“To contribute to the smooth, but secure, flow of tens of thousands of international visitors expected to attend the 2010 Fifa World Cup tournament, our immigration services branch is focusing on strengthening the regulations and control of the movement of persons at our designated areas of entry. We are now moving towards the provision of an integrated basket of services,” she said.
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