No internet ID applications
2009-08-13 15:31
Pretoria - The Department of Home Affairs on Thursday dispelled misunderstandings about new "online" applications, saying the process will merely be sped up by a new system of live capture workstations.
Home Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma said on Tuesday that South Africans will soon be able to apply for their passports and identity documents online.
"Data will be captured live online, from photographs to signatures, to ensure that the information printed in the document is correct," Sapa quoted her as saying after visiting the Government Printing Works in Pretoria.
Her statements sparked a flurry of speculation. "How will Home Affairs capture source documentation? How will they take your fingerprints to verify you are who you claim to be online?" asked one forum user at mybroadband.co.za, assuming the minister was referring to the internet.
Not over internet
But Vusi Mkhize, acting deputy director general of civic affairs, said the process would not take place over the internet.
"We need to be sure that the person who applies for the passport is the right person and that can only be done at our offices," he told News24.
The new live capture workstations act as a one-stop shop for citizens applying for passports and identity documents. Instead of standing in multiple lines for photographs and fingerprints, these machines will capture these digitally.
"The turnaround time for the customer becomes the greatest benefit," said Mkhize.
Details are immediately verified from the local office instead of going via head office, reducing waiting time by three to five days.
By the end of August, 40 offices across the country would each have a workstation - valued at between R220 000 and R250 000.
"Eventually almost all our products will be done via live capture but we are not there yet," said Mkhize.