Home Affairs minister Aaron Motsoaledi says that his department is working on a number of tech-focused features, with plans to take some services digital.<\/p>\n
Answering in a recent written parliamentary Q&A, Motsoaledi said that the department will also introduce a number of changes which are aimed at increased identity security for citizens.<\/p>\n
“The department has partnered with the Department of Health (DoH) to ensure that each child is allocated with a birth certificate on the spot, by registering birth at health facilities.<\/p>\n
“This will curb identity theft from the onset as an ID number gets allocated and remains with the child for life. The primary purpose is to ensure a credible population register, not vulnerable to theft and fraud.”<\/p>\n
With ‘live capture’, Motsoaledi said that the department is able to identify applicants through online verification which has a direct interface with the Home Affairs National Identification System (HANIS) to identify persons through biometrics.<\/p>\n
“Furthermore, during the collection of smart identity cards, online verification is also performed to ensure that the correct enabling document is handed over to the appropriate clients.”<\/p>\n
Motsoaledi said that the South African Smart ID card and passport also have enhanced security features.<\/p>\n
“The department is moving away from paper to a paperless environment. The department is thereby progressively phasing out the manual application process,” he said.<\/p>\n
“In addition, in terms of the Departments\u2019 Information Security Policy, a model was built around proactive risk assessment and risk management where all users responsible for registering and capturing births and identity-related applications within the domain of the organization, are assigned with biometric fingerprint authentication, to detect and hold users accountable for fraudulent activities.”<\/p>\n
Services available<\/strong><\/p>\n Home Affairs announced the resumption of a number of services under South Africa\u2019s level 1 lockdown at the start of March.<\/p>\n This comes after several services were temporarily suspended due to concerns around Covid-19 transmissions.<\/p>\n The following services are now available:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n “We urge everyone who visits our offices to observe social distancing, sanitise their hands regularly and to wear their masks properly, covering their noses and mouths,” Motsoaledi said.<\/p>\n \u201cNobody will be allowed into our offices if they are not wearing their masks properly,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n
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