Question 742
Mr JJ McGluwa (ID) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:
Whether her department will no longer issue smart card identity documents; if not, why not; if so, (a) when and (b) what are the further relevant details?
Reply
(a) and (b) No. The Smart Card Identity Document initiative remains one of the crucial plans of the department. Cabinet mandated the Department of Home Affairs to replace the South African National Identity Document with a Smart Identity Card (Smart ID Card). To this end, the department initiated an open tender process for the supply of the Smart ID Card, which was managed by the State Information Technology Agency (SITA).
In the ensuing tender process, the department was, subsequently, advised by SITA, in April 2009, that a forensic audit of the tender process was being carried out to investigate apparent irregularities. As at the end of August 2009, the department had not been advised of the outcome of the forensic audit.
The department has, since, cancelled the tender. Currently, we are in discussions with National Treasury to possibly allow us to start the process from scratch.
Issued by: Department of Home Affairs
10 September 2009
