Latest news with #HomeAffairs'
The South African
4 days ago
- Politics
- The South African
Operation New Broom sweeps clean for Home Affairs
At its heart, Operation New Broom at Home Affairs is a technology-driven initiative, insists Minister Dr. Leon Schreiber. However, whether you consider it an old-school issue, illegal immigrants in South Africa all face the same fate. Arrest, conviction and deportation and prohibition from reentering the country. Launched last week, the technology powering Operation New Broom is biometric data. Through digital ID photos and fingerprints, biometric data will verify any residents' immigration status, thereby eliminating the risk of fraudulent documents (like the old green mamba ID booklet). Operation New Broom is yet another example of Dr. Leon Schreiber making his mark in office at such a young age. Image: File Moreover, the first campaign of Operation New Broom has already taken place in Cape Town's District 6, before becoming a nationwide operation. Operation New Broom saw the arrest of 25 suspects for occupying land meant for victims of forced removals. Home Affairs Minister Dr. Schreiber says Operation New Broom tackles an old-time issue with the latest technology. 'As with everything we do, Operation New Broom is guided by our commitment to the rule of law. It is this commitment that both motivates us to do more to combat illegality, and to uphold due process and legal compliance. The benefits of our commitment to digital transformation are being felt across all areas of Home Affairs' mandate, including through the strides made by the Border Management Authority (BMA),' Schreiber said Operation New Broom will be ramped-up to run countrywide. Image: File Earlier in the year, the BMA unveiled a new range of surveillance technology to enhance its efforts. These included 40 body-worn cameras and a set of state-of-the-art drones to monitor border operations. The cameras allow operators in control rooms to observer live footage from all BMA officers. Furthermore, the minister encouraged anyone living illegally in the country to deport themselves. 'Voluntarily deport yourself now, before we arrest and prohibit you from reentering or obtaining legal status in South Africa in the future,' said Schreiber. There was no word on where Operation New Broom will sweep up next, but illegal immigrants have been warned. They will face no mercy from the authorities … Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
24-05-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Home Affairs extends weekend hours for Smart ID applications by naturalised citizens
Home Affairs offices have extended their operating hours until the end of May due to the uptake of Smart ID cards by naturalised citizens and permanent residents from visa-exempt countries. The extension, which came into effect on May 17, sees Home Affairs' offices open from 08:00 to 13:00 on Saturdays, until May 31. 'Extended hours over the specified weekends will allow for processing of Smart ID card applications from naturalised citizens and permanent residents from listed countries, in possession of green barcoded ID books,' the department said in a statement. Home Affairs encouraged naturalised citizens and permanent residents from listed countries to make use of this opportunity. 'This will take us closer to fully adopting the more secure Smart ID card and doing away with the green, bar-coded ID book. – Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Eyewitness News
12-05-2025
- Business
- Eyewitness News
Naturalised and permanent SA residents now able to obtain smart IDs
CAPE TOWN - From Monday, about 1.4 million naturalised South African citizens and permanent residents will be able to obtain smart identity documents (IDs). For years, information technology (IT) failures forced South Africans born abroad, as well as permanent residents, to continue using only the green bar-coded ID book. It also prevented them from using the eHomeAffairs platform to make bookings. In rare cases, a small number of naturalised citizens were able to obtain smart IDs only after being granted permission by the minister and following a tedious manual process. Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber said for the first time on Monday, the department had made it possible for over one million eligible South Africans and lawful permanent residents to apply for smart IDs. "Following months of diligent information technology reforms, this step marks the single most significant milestone yet on Home Affairs' exciting journey of digital transformation, with much more still to come. This is the fruits of our focus on digital transformation."
