By Akani Nkuna
Home Affairs Minister Leone Schreiber has announced a ground-breaking five-year plan to digitise the department, making routine services accessible from the comfort of your own home, to mark his 100 days in office.
“Through the implementation of this vision over the next five years, we aim to enable everyone with an internet connection to access Home Affairs services online – and it will transform every library or community centre equipped with an internet connection into a virtual Home Affairs office,” said Schreiber.
This @home initiative is set to bridge the gap between customer services and accessibility.
Minister spokesperson Duwayne Esau said in a statement on Monday that “[it uses] the same biometric technology that already secures smartphones, online banking and other critical platforms,[and] the automated risk engine must be able to identify and prevent attempts at identity fraud”.
This initiative would also address the issues of capacity at the department amidst budget cuts.
“Home Affairs now only has 40% of the staff required to provide adequate services under the current model that requires every client to physically visit offices even for the most routine transactions,” the minister said.
The strategy would facilitate the consolidation of biometric data, global databases and travel permits.
While, the Border Management Authority’s movement control system would ensure seamless tracking and instant verification of foreign nationals’ status.
It would also enable immigration officials to conduct real-time tracking of travellers.
Schreiber further said that as a department they were guided by providing the best possible services to their clients.
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