Work underway to transform government services 

An agreement between several government entities is set to digitally transform and revolutionise government services.

The Department of Home Affairs, the Border Management Authority (BMA), Government Printing Works (GPW) and the South African Revenue Service (SARS) concluded the agreement on Thursday.

“The agreement marks a new era that will fundamentally reform and improve the way that government works in the Republic of South Africa. In terms of the agreement, the service ecosystem composed of Home Affairs, the BMA and GPW will leverage the world-class technology capacity within SARS to revolutionise all civics and immigration services,” said the Department of Home Affairs.

As a direct result of the successful conclusion of this agreement, the public can look forward to the following improvements:

•    Launch of a world-class Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system to digitalise and automate immigration procedures to eliminate inefficiency and fraud;
•    Integration of Home Affairs services with banking platforms to expand access to Smart ID and passport services to hundreds of bank branches as well as to banking apps;
•    Creation of an option to select secure courier delivery of documents that eliminates the requirement to collect documents only at Home Affairs offices;
•    Upgrading of the Movement Control System (MCS) at all ports of entry; and
•    Introduction of Smart IDs for naturalised citizens and permanent residents.

“This list of reforms also represents only the most immediate priorities for the next twelve months, with many more to follow over the term of the seventh administration in pursuit of our vision to deliver ‘Home Affairs @ home,’” said the department.

Additionally, it added that work to roll out the improvements is now in full swing, and that it will announce their activation on an ongoing basis. 

Home Affairs Minister, Dr Leon Schreiber said: “It is difficult to overstate the significance of what we have jointly achieved with [the] adoption of this historic agreement. SARS is a world-class institution that must never be taken for granted, and I want to thank the Commissioner and his team for their visionary commitment to breaking down silos in the interests of South Africa.”

The Minister also applauded the unwavering commitment of the Home Affairs, BMA and GPW teams in embracing the power of digital transformation.”

“The beauty of this shared approach is that delivering on our vision to digitally transform Home Affairs services will yield major benefits to both us and SARS. For example, the creation of a biometrically secured digital identity platform will enhance the ability to crack down on fraud and collect outstanding revenues, while the digitalisation and automation of immigration processes through the ETA will improve customs collection,” he said.

The agreement was jointly signed by SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter, Home Affairs Director-General Tommy Makhode, BMA Commissioner Michael Masiapato, and GPW Chief Executive Officer Alinah Fosi. –SAnews.gov.za

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