Smart identity cards would be initially only for South African citizens. However, the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) is considering introducing a specific card for immigrants and asylum-seekers, says DHA deputy director for immigration Jackson MacKay.
MacKay says the department is on track to begin a pilot project of the new smart ID cards in December, with the aim that these would eventually replace the current green ID document that has been used for about 30 years.
"Initially, we did not prioritise the ID cards for immigrants and asylum-seekers, but - after recent events - we have decided to consider making it a priority," he says.
Currently, newcomers to the country use a single sheet white document issued by the DHA for identity purposes. However, these are vulnerable to fraud, spoiling and damage, and MacKay says a new robust document is needed.
"It may be something like the driver's licence with a photograph, but it would not be a smart card."
The recent spate of xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals residing in the country has led to calls from various sections of the population, including foreigners, for a more robust ID document to be issued.
MacKay says the smart ID card would be piloted among another vulnerable section of society, such as pensioners, as the embedded chip would allow them to use it to collect pension payouts.
According to the DHA's budget vote speech, R114 million had been allocated to the smart ID card project for the 2009/10 financial year, rising to R335 million for the following year as the project gathers steam.
During her budget vote speech yesterday, Home Affairs minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula touched on all of the department's turnaround projects, many of which have ICT components.
Among these, the "Track and Trace" system for the management of the ID book production process is now operational throughout all the department's offices. The second phase of rolling out the online fingerprint verification process had begun to all branches, after being installed at the 40 largest branches. A new passport system would be installed in August and allow the Government Printing Works to produce the "e-passport".
She said all these systems would help improve the DHA's service delivery through the reduction of turnaround times and of fraud and corruption.
The DHA's outsourced call centre, which is now fully operational and receives about 80 000 calls per month, was also mentioned.
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