Turnaround working - minister

2008-06-10 18:01

Cape Town - The home affairs department's turnaround strategy is beginning to bear dividends, Home Affairs Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula told MPs on Tuesday.

Speaking during her Budget vote debate in the National Assembly, Mapisa-Nqakula said a new passport production system that would see the documents being issued promptly, had been installed in line with the department's turnaround strategy.

"The main benefit of the new system will be the reduction in the passport production turnaround time due to the printing system's ability to print higher volumes," she said

It made it possible for the department to process a passport application within a space of 10 days.

The department had also reduced the time it took to process an application for an Identity Document (ID).

"When the turnaround started in May last year, it was taking as long as 180 days to produce an ID. Now, 10 months later, the average turnaround time stands at 75 days," she said.

The roll out of the Smart ID programme to replace ID documents with electronic cards would begin in December.

"It will see the streamlining of the production process, reduce turn around times for the ID and ensure the integrity of the identification system," Mapisa-Nqakula said.

Work permits

The department was also becoming more efficient in its processing of work permits.

"We have had a great deal of success in this area that is critical in support of economic growth in our country. Last year the department issued over 13 000 general and quota work permits."

The Large Account Initiative, which was set up to assist companies with a large requirement of foreign skills, had now been increased from four to 20 companies.

"Since its establishment, the unit has assisted in the recruitment of 1 801 skilled foreign nationals," she said.

- SAPA