While some airlines are yet to implement its Advanced Passenger Processing (APP) system, they will implement it in time for the 2010 Soccer World Cup, says the Department of Home Affairs (DHA).
Home Affairs minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma says the system, which became operational on 23 November, has already been implemented by 79% of all airlines flying to SA.
The APP system, which is mostly software-based, with some hardware components, such as scanning equipment, is part of the DHA's overall border management initiative.
The system uses biometric verification and is a seamless integrated movement control system, which will introduce passenger pre-clearance prior to boarding a plane, instead of clearing passengers at ports of entry in airports.
It is expected to deal with over 500 000 visitors for the 2010 World Cup and will provide airlines with immediate notification on whether to allow a passenger to board.
Out of 31 airlines, 18 airlines have provided the department with their roll-out plans. Another four have completed testing and have been certified as compliant. The DHA says the system will be expanded to include private flights and the crew of cargo flights and maritime travel, and specifically, passenger cruise liners.
The department added that its operational centre had been functioning to capacity and that additional training of staff would take place.
Fighting fraud
In June, the DHA received R514 million for IT projects. The department has allocated R142 million for its 2010 readiness programme through Who Am I Online, while the roll-out of smart ID cards is set to cost R104 million for 2009/10. Identification infrastructure has been allocated R60 million, while information service infrastructure will receive R95 million.
The DHA says its electronic track and trace system for documents has also been extended and now covers identity documents, passports, any amendments, citizenship and late registration of birth.
In time for the World Cup, the department says it will extend the service to permanent residence and temporary residence permit applications. Dlamini-Zuma confirmed the pilot for those services had been concluded and the roll-out was set to begin in 2010.
“An advantage of the extension of electronic tracking to all these documents is that it not only enhances the department's ability to monitor production, but also identifies fraudulent behaviour by our officials as we are able to link officials to the different steps in the production process,” says Dlamini-Zuma.
The department will also increase the capacity of the National Population Register and increase security as it begins its campaign to issue identity documents at age 16. The DHA says the process will begin in January 2010.
“It has always been a priority to do away with all processes that allow for fraudulent access to our information systems,” says Dlamini-Zuma.
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