The ANC will be holding a National Policy Conference on 30 June to review the party’s policies. One of their discussion points will be what the governing party calls the Peace and Security Discussion Document released earlier this year.
The 31-page document outlines its plans to restructure the Department of Home Affairs to become responsible for matters surrounding national social security and managing identity under one umbrella.
Part of this restructuring will see the department attempt to become a self-sustaining entity which will include raising its own funds through an increase in fees currently charged for IDs; passports; and birth and death certificates.
The department will also embark on a nationwide form of identity data screening that will be collected under the National Social Security Fund (NSSF).
How will this screening impact your day-to-day dealings?
- You could be charged for everyday transactions requiring proof of identity, which is then verified biometrically through Home Affairs to confirm legitimacy.
- According to the document, these charges could range from R1 to R4 for every day on activities that require identity verification like bank transactions, airline tickets, school registrations, hospital check-ins and social grant collections.
What is the National Social Security Fund (NSSF)?
President Zuma mentioned the steps the party aims to take to make the proposed NSSF a reality during his parliamentary questions and answers session on 22 June.
NSSF according to Zuma will operate as a national fund responsible for administering mandatory contributions from all workers for the provision of retirement, death and disability benefits.
“The fund will serve as a single platform through which all workers can make regular social security contributions while they are still working to avoid falling into poverty in the event of retirement or disability.”
“All income earners will be required to participate, and this will foster social solidarity and the sharing of risks among all workers. Furthermore, the Fund will provide an income to the dependents of all contributors who happen to die before retirement.”
The document also outlines some policies on private information. The department would be able to collect, file and use your personal data to help “streamline service delivery, expand outreach and aid those most in need”.
One of the suggested revenue streams for the department is selling your personal data. The document outlines that the sale of identity services and products could be another large revenue stream with potential partners including Government Printing Works, the Council of Scientific Industrial Research (CSIR) and private sector companies.
In other news, the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs on 27 June will get a briefing from the Ministers of Home Affairs, Finance and the Director General of the Department of Home Affairs on the naturalisation of the Gupta family. Watch the live stream below:
