Home Affairs launches biometric system to replace ‘outdated’ manual system

The new Home Affairs Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) plans to make identity theft a thing of the past.

Home Affairs launched its new biometric identification system in Cape Town on Wednesday morning, which uses unique biological traits such as facial recognition to identify individuals.

Homes Affairs plans to revamp facilities across the country according to Minister Malusi Gigaba, who says the department intends to improve services bringing an end to long queues.

ABIS is a future-fit identification and security solution powered by sustainable technology and will offer a single view of citizens across the life cycle and their status change at various stages. It is set to replace the Home Affairs National Identity System (HANIS) which is manually operated and outdated, the department said in a statement.

The department says ABIS aims to act as a fundamental baseline for the broader National Identification System and will consolidate South African and foreign nationals’ data into a single base.

Home Affairs spokesperson Mayihlome Tshwete says there have been consistent plans to put an end to identity theft. Speaking on Jacaranda, he said Home Affairs has gradually moved away from the manual system and modernised it, introducing the live capture system which allows information to be more secure and more accurate.

“We have acknowledged the problem, we have been combating it, and it is a gradual fight that we are winning on a month-to-month basis. We are not going to stop here. There are more things that are going to come into the system that is going to strengthen our security but also improve capabilities to deliver better services to the public.”

This new system by Home Affairs forms part of an ongoing revamp of Home Affairs offices around the country.