SA launches a crackdown on fake SA IDs at Beitbridge border post

SOUTH Africa has introduced a new biometrics system that uses human characteristics for identification of travellers as part of measures to address the problem of people using fraudulently acquired travel documents to enter and leave the neighbouring country.

The enhanced Movement Control System (eMCS) biometric pilot project, which Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba launched at OR Tambo International Airport on Tuesday, coincided with the festive period during which Beitbridge Border Post handles an increase in the movement of travellers mostly injiva who will be flocking home for the Christmas holiday.

Gigaba said to protect their national security, South Africa is in the process of enhancing its capacity to uniquely identify individuals and confirm the identity of travellers with the highest possible degree of certainty, security and efficiency.

It has since become a norm that every year between December and January, the South Africa Department of Home Affairs launches a crackdown on illegal South African passport holders intending to enter or leave the country through the Beitbridge border post.

The operation mainly targets Zimbabweans in possession of South African travel documents after having acquired national IDs fraudulently.

In a statement, Minister Gigaba, said the biometrics capturing system was a key element in securing movements of persons in and out of South Africa.

"The purpose of taking biometric data at ports of entry is to accurately identify people and determine whether they pose a risk to South Africa. By using biometrics, South African immigration is helping to prevent the use of fraudulent documents, protect visitors from theft and stop criminals and immigration violators from entering the country," he said.

Gigaba said the new system will help enhance border security and other immigration related issues.

"This is to explain the work we are doing to enhance border security while easing the pressure on travellers, including those in transit. As you are aware, travel documents accepted for border integrity purposes underpin the ideals of safety and security. The importance of valid travel documents to international security cannot be overstated as the ability to operate with anonymity, across borders, is a powerful enabler for persons to advance unlawful and illegitimate activities," he said.

He said the capturing of the travellers' biometrics on arrival, at that country's ports of entry will also alleviate the pressure to apply in person in visa-required countries or in those countries where South Africa has no representation.

Gigaba said the successful implementation of the biometric solution at their ports of entry will provide for an alternative mechanism that mitigates against the requirements for the Transit Visa.

"What this means is that for travellers using ports of entry that have biometric capacity, the Transit Visa will no longer be required. In terms of the process, the biometrics (photo and fingerprints) of a traveller will be captured in addition to the normal scanning of the passport to record the movement on our eMCS. For the first registration, immigration officials will capture all 10 fingers. Subsequent movements will require capturing of only one finger for verification purposes," he said.

Gigaba said plans were underway to extend a 10-year Multiple Entry Visitor's Visa to frequent African travellers who include business executives and academics.

He urged foreigners to voluntarily surrender fraudulent permits or South African passports and IDs in their possession to avoid arrest.

In January some Zimbabweans using fraudulently acquired South African passports were turned away and their travel documents were seized.

During the exercise all South African passport holders entering the neighbouring country from Zimbabwe went through a rigorous process of interrogation on presenting their documents to immigration officials.