The South African Department of Home Affairs is currently investigating 21 cases of identity theft and fraudulent acquisition of identity documents. This was revealed in a parliamentary response to a query by EFF MP Thapelo Mogale. The department's counter-corruption and security services branch is handling the investigations.
According to Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber, the department uses several mechanisms to identify and flag suspected fraudulent identity documents. These include biometric enrolment and verification through the Home Affairs National Identification System (HANIS), Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS), and National Population Register (NPR).
The department also verifies source documents and supporting records against the NPR and other departmental systems. Additionally, risk-based system controls, exception reporting, complaints, intelligence reports, and internal detections are used to identify possible fraud. The department works closely with law enforcement and security agencies to investigate suspected cases.
Minister Schreiber warned that if investigations find home affairs officials have helped imposters unlawfully obtain South African identity documents, internal disciplinary proceedings will be instituted. Cases involving prima facie evidence of criminal conduct will be referred to the relevant law enforcement agencies for criminal investigations.
The department's efforts to crack down on identity fraud come as a broader initiative to protect the integrity of South Africa's identity system. In August, Schreiber reported that about 300,000 identity documents linked to suspected fraud had been blocked and were being worked through by the department.
The Home Affairs department has been promoting the transition to smart ID cards, which have stronger security features, as a more secure alternative to the green ID book. According to Schreiber, most identity theft cases involve the green ID book, which is a manual document containing a physical photograph.
The department has information-sharing arrangements with the Electoral Commission of SA (IEC) to prevent identity documents suspected of fraud or under investigation from being used to register or vote. These arrangements include an electronic interface and system integration that enable identity information to be verified against the NPR and related departmental systems.
Key points
- The department is investigating 21 cases of identity theft and fraudulent acquisition of identity documents.
- The department uses several mechanisms to identify and flag suspected fraudulent identity documents, including biometric enrolment and verification.
- The department has information-sharing arrangements with the Electoral Commission of SA to prevent identity documents suspected of fraud from being used to register or vote.
