The Department of Home Affairs is experiencing Information Technology (IT) related problems in achieving the required passport output.
“Home Affairs is moving from some very old technology to new, improved systems. It is the interfacing of these systems that has created some delays in the production of passports” explains Mavuso Msimang, Director-General.
A team of technical engineers and IT specialists has been working to resolve the glitches in the interface between the new passport production system and the Department’s data capturing system.
“Significant progress has been made in resolving the problems, during the past two weeks over 25 000 passports were produced” adds Msimang. “The technology upgrades are imperative to the department’s programme to improve service delivery and the security of the passport.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused and are working hard to get back to the three week turnaround times we achieved at the beginning of the year.”
Additional resources have been allocated to speed up passport production.
For more information please contact:
Siobhan McCarthy
Chief Director: Communications
Cell: 082 886 6708
E-mail: Siobhan.mccarthy@dha.gov.za
Thabo Mokgola
Media Relations
Tel: 012 810 7242
Fax: 012 810 7032
Cell: 082 902 8414
E-mail: thabo.mokgola@dha.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Home Affairs
21 May 2009
