Home Affairs launches new biometric system
The Department of Home Affairs has launched a new identification system in an effort to curb identity theft.
The government has spent more than R250 million to develop the country's new automated biometric identification system.
Various governmental departments, including the South African Police Service (SAPS) and Department of Justice and Correctional Services, have ploughed money into the project, which aims to capture the identity of citizens more accurately and securely.
It will identify and verify people through fingerprints, facial recognition, iris technology, and is also able to capture DNA.
Home Affairs spokesperson Mayihlome Tshwete says while the new technology won't necessarily curb fraud completely, it is a step in the right direction.
"We have acknowledged the problem, we have been combatting it, and it is a gradual fight that we are winning on a month-to-month basis. We are not going to stop here. There are more things that are going to come into the system that is going to strengthen our security but also improve capabilities to deliver better services to the public."
#ABIS is the new Automated Biometric Identification System that will replace the current fingerprint system #DHABudgetvote2018 #SmartIDcard pic.twitter.com/zaClaY3C7M
— Malusi Gigaba (@mgigaba) May 16, 2018