Hon Speaker, the reply is as follows: We issued tenders for the printing and personalisation infrastructure, as well as for the production of the blank cards on which the information of the holders of identity cards would be printed. We have successfully awarded these tenders to Gemalto SA and Altech Card Solutions, and contracts have been signed. The personalisation machines have been installed and Altech Card Solutions is currently finalising the unique software that will allow the personalisation of the blank cards.
We have also had a demonstration of the installed technology by issuing a few cards to some of the leading citizens in our country. We had a demonstration to both the President and the Deputy President at the Government Printing Works, GPW. The GPW is the main card-production site. We also have a disaster recovery site, where a fourth machine has been installed.
With respect to challenges, members will of course be aware that this is really a pilot project for South Africa. We have never issued a card of this level of security and complexity before. The challenges have arisen primarily from the development of the appropriate software and systems for the integration of the range of elements that will make up the information that will be part of the card.
We have to establish new facilities in the Department of Home Affairs offices for the application enrolment modules, or what is called "live capture". We also have to link all the existing legacy systems, including our fingerprint identification system, the population register, our current track-and-trace systems linked to passport application and production, as well as the existing legacy systems for the new passport production at the GPW. Of course, we are working to ensure that the production of the cards is entirely contactless, from application through to the envelopes with the cards being sent in batches to the couriers. All of this has led to us having to refine, factory-test and, in the next few weeks, site-test to the point where we will be able to announce to the country the call for citizens to come forward to apply for the smart ID cards.
Finally, we had to refurbish our offices because the physical layout was not suitable for a new system. Our offices have been revamped and the live- capture system has been installed. We have also had to install new servers and this has meant recabling many of our offices.
These have been some of the challenges, but we believe the contracts that we have signed and the teams we have assembled will be able to get us to a point where we can issue the smart ID cards.
Thank you for the comprehensive answer, hon Minister. Mr Speaker, the follow-up question is whether the Minister is satisfied that there won't be complications for citizens in possession of this new ID smart card when they want to register and vote in next year's national election.
Mr Speaker, when we deal with new technology, particularly at the level of the advanced system development that this card has been linked to, and the attention to security matters, one would work towards ensuring that there are no complications. But I cannot definitively say that there won't be problems. I believe that the steps that are being put in place, particularly with respect to the factory-acceptance testing and the site-acceptance testing, which we have given a number of weeks to allow for, will help us to avoid some of the pitfalls that arise when one develops such a card.
With respect to the election, we have been in constant discussion with the Independent Electoral Commission and, in fact, we developed the card with their advice. The card will have two barcodes: one that will reflect the barcode that you have on the current green ID book, which is the information related to your registration as a voter, and a second barcode, which will contain the unique biometric details of the holder of the ID card. In fact, we believe that we have addressed the needs of voters regarding the use of the smart card should they have it - those who will have it when we have the election next year.
Hon Speaker, I thank the hon Minister for the comprehensive answer. I want to ask the hon Minister, who spoke extensively about the software and the systems, what provisions exist to monitor and track any of the criminal acts that we have become so familiar with in the old system, such as attempting to duplicate IDs and so forth. What provisions exist to make sure that they are monitored and tracked if these things happen and, possibly, to even find the criminals involved? I'd love to hear something in that regard.
Firstly, I think that the most important development with respect to fraud is the contactless process, from application right through to the issuing of the card. There are a range of security features that will be on the card. For example, the card can't be interfered with by human hand because if you do, that would essentially destroy the card. The picture of the applicant is laser-printed onto the card, unlike the current green ID book, where you can actually lift the cellophane wrap, remove a picture and insert someone else's picture. With a laser-printed card you cannot effect a change to the person whose picture appears on the card.
Secondly, the current ID document does not contain your unique biometric features, particularly your fingerprints, which will now be on the chip and will be incorporated into the card. I do not want to go into all the features, but it is a multilayered card. I think the key point is that all individuals will have to present themselves for live capture. We think that the application process will take 15 to 20 minutes and that we will be able to issue the card within five to nine days.
I believe that the security features are of a world-class standard, does address some of the constraints that we have experienced in the past and really gives us a card that is going to be very hard to duplicate. You will have to buy all those personalisation machines - which are huge machines - to be able to have the process that we will have in place with respect to the production of the cards.
Hon Mulder? He seems to have pressed the button while he was out of the House. I don't know how that happened. I will now invite hon Makhuba to speak.
Hon Speaker and hon Minister, as we have seen on television, some South African citizens have already been given an opportunity with regard to the 100 ID smart card pilot project. Would the Minister kindly inform this House about the criteria that drove the department's initial issuing of this 100 ID smart card pilot project, and how many smart cards have been applied for thus far? Thank you.
We have certainly not issued 100 cards. Fewer than 40 were issued, and the persons who were issued cards at the launch of the pilot project are former Presidents of South Africa. As I recall, there are only four of them, while the fifth one is the current President. A card was also issued to him. The women who led the march against the pass laws and the Rivonia trialists - companions of Mandela, as we call them - were also issued cards. So, it is a very, very small group of people.
I am aware that a letter has been written to me - I don't think it was from the hon Makhuba - indicating that former Ministers of the Department of Home Affairs were not presented with or invited to receive this initial outlay. We do believe that the former Ministers should receive the smart ID cards and we will do so. Ubaba [Mr] Prince Buthelezi, our first Minister in the Department of Home Affairs in a democratic South Africa, along with the other Ministers of the Department of Home Affairs, will receive it. May I also wish you a happy birthday for last month, Ubaba. Thank you. [Applause.]
Somlomo oHloniphekileyo, mphathiswa oHloniphekileyo, ndicela ukubuza ukuba ingaba buthini ubuninzi bamakhadi anokushicilelwa lisebe lakho kwaye ingaba sikhona kusini na isicwangciso sonyaka okanye senyanga sokunabisa ukunikezelwa kwawo? Okwesibini, ingaba lo matshini uza kufakwa kuzo zonke ii-ofisi zeSebe lezeKhaya kumaphondo ohlukileyo kwaye uza kufakwa nini ukuze le nkqubo ikhawuleze? Enkosi.
UMPHATHISWA WEZEKHAYA: Bawo uNgonyama, ndicela ukuba uwuphinde umbuzo wakho kuba andiyivanga inxalenye yawo yokuqala. Kodwa ke, mandiqale ndiphendule le ndawo ndiyivileyo. Asizi kubafaka kuzo zonke ii-ofisi oomatshini, koko siza kufaka iseva kuba ziinkcukacha kuphela esizifunayo. Siza kusebenzisa i- Government Printing Works ukushicilela onke amakhadi. Ubuninzi bamakhadi anokushicilelwa - ndicinga ukuba yinxalenye yokuqala yombuzo wakho le - ngama-10 000 ngosuku xa kusetyenzwa ixesha lesiqhelo. Ngoko ke, kungashicilelwa amakhadi amaninzi kakhulu xa kunokusetyenzwa imini nobusuku. Sinethemba lokuba kungashicilelwa izigidi ezintathu zamakhadi ngonyaka. Yiyo loo nto sisithi siza kuthatha iinyanga ezintandathu okanye ezisixhenxe, kusetyenzwa imini nobusuku, ukuze sikwazi ukunikezela amakhadi kubo bonke abantu ngexeshana elifutshane. (Translation of isiXhosa paragraphs follows.)
[Mr L S NGONYAMA: Hon Speaker, hon Minister, I would like to find out about the maximum number of smart ID cards that can be produced by your department. Is there an annual or monthly plan in place for the roll-out of these cards? Secondly, are you going to install a machine in all the provincial offices of the Department of Home Affairs in order to speed up this process, and when will this happen?
Mr Ngonyama, could you please repeat your question, because I didn't get the first part thereof? However, let me first respond to the part I heard. We are not going to install machines in all the provincial Home Affairs offices. Instead, we are going to install a server, because all we need are details. We are going to make use of the services of the Government Printing Works to produce all the smart ID cards.
The maximum number of smart ID cards that can be produced - I think that is the first part of your question - during normal office hours is 10 000 per day. Therefore, many smart ID cards can be produced by working day and night. We hope that about 3 million smart ID cards can be produced annually. That is why we are saying it is going to take us six or seven months, working day and night, to be able to deliver the smart ID cards to all the people of South Africa.]
Particulars regarding cases of murdered police officers
228. Mr W M Thring (ACDP) asked the Minister of Police:
(1) How many (a) persons have been arrested since 1 January 2013 for the murder of police officers and (b) cases regarding police officers who have been murdered in 2013 remain unsolved;
(2) whether he has instituted special preventative education and training methods in order to reduce police fatalities; if not, why not; if so, what methods;
(3) what kind of nonfinancial assistance is given to the families of slain police officers? NO2415E
Speaker and hon member, the statistics relating to police killings and the statistics of the police will be released in September. Practically, this means that if other police members were killed, they would be part of that list. We hope that that is not going to happen.
With regard to the second part of the question, yes, during the Basic Police Development Learning Programme, all police trainees are exposed to and trained in various street survival techniques: firstly, tactical approach to crime scene and attending to complaint; secondly, arresting techniques and proper handcuffing of suspects; and thirdly, close combat techniques, which entail, among others, restraining techniques. Trainees also undergo an intensive physical fitness programme that prepares them for the outside world.
When the number of police officers being killed increased in the 2011-12 financial year, a re-skilling course, also viewed as a refresher course for police officers, was introduced. Those provinces with a high number of police killings were targeted first and foremost, and then the course went to other provinces.
The focus of the course is on technical awareness, weaponary skills, how to stop and search vehicles and suspects, as well as approach and penetration techniques to effect an arrest. This project is ongoing. The other one is firearm competency, which is continuing in support of this project. Various other tactical courses and general policing courses are included in the training that contributes to the skills of police officers to ensure their own safety. The project is ongoing. Debriefing, bereavement and other counselling, as well as a support system are in place in the SA Police Service's employee health and wellness programmes for families of slain members. Bereavement support is given, conveying the death message until support structures such as local church, families and friends are in place.
Bereavement counselling is offered to the families on a continuous basis, accompanying and supporting families in the process of preparing for the funeral, arranging and/or conducting the funeral with the necessary emotional and spiritual support. The list is long. We recently launched the SA Police Service Education Trust, which contributes to the studies of the kids of SAPS members who were killed on duty.
I also want to highlight that, in 2011, we convened a summit against police killings, and certain things came out of that. One of the issues regarding the safety of police members was the need to ensure that all police officers are afforded bulletproof vests. Others included an "adopt a policeman" initiative and ensuring that in each and every instance where a police officer is killed, flags at police stations are lowered to half- mast.
Hon Speaker, thank you to our hon Minister for the reply. Hon Minister, the recent media reports of police murders in the Western Cape have highlighted a growing tension between two political parties - the ruling party, the ANC, and the ruling party in the Western Cape, which seems to be using, to some extent, the death of the slain policemen and women in the area as a means to score political points, as has been mentioned in the newspapers.
The ACDP maintains that political parties should not be seen to be playing politics with sensitive issues like crime, especially when our men and women in blue have paid with their lives. We do not require these kinds of approaches, but rather one that would set aside political affiliation and support one another in the fight against crime.
The question is: Have any steps been taken to work with other government departments to stop and prevent the killing of police members? How will the Minister ensure that our police members are being protected and are not drawn into political spats? Thank you.
Hon Speaker and hon member, we share the sentiment you are raising, particularly about police killings and what happens thereafter. We have made the point that it does not help anybody, least of all the police, when everything they do is criticised all the time, even when they are doing well. The point I am making is that it cannot be true that you have a police service in South Africa that is not doing anything well. That point must be made by everybody. Where police members have to be criticised because they are not doing their work, we are the first ones to point that out. It is important to underscore the point that many South Africans and government departments are very keen on working with the police in ensuring that they assist the police and protect them from attack. Many of these attacks happen when they respond to a call-out to go and attend to crime scenes. Thank you.
Order! Do we have the hon Peterson-Maduna? Can the Chief Whip please request that members who are not in the House should not press the button? They should come to the House and press the button; not when they are not in the House. [Laughter.]
Hon Speaker, apart from the Minister attempting to blame the DA for the death of police officers, I have not heard a retraction of those statements or an apology to the nation yet here today. I ask the Minister: What is actually being done to better protect SAPS officers, not only in the Western Cape but certainly in KwaZulu-Natal, where they are murdered far too regularly? I want to know if there is a commission of inquiry in that regard. What is actually being done? We have not heard a word about that here today. Have any steps been taken, and if not, what on earth are you going to do about it?
Hon Speaker, the fact of the matter is that many police officers are attacked here in the Western Cape and this is where the high rate of police attacks is. It is not only in the Western Cape, but the higher rate is here. We said that part of what we should all do is to restrain ourselves from uttering reckless statements that would open up police members to further attacks. On that, there would be ... [Interjections.] With regard to that, there would be no need for an apology, except for the fact that we should all restrain ourselves.
As I said, more than 90% of these killings happen when the police respond to a call-out. We have ensured that each and every police officer is provided with protective clothing when they go on a call-out because, in most cases, that is when attacks occur. In some cases, police members die and in other instances they get injured on duty. As I said, in addition to that, we have all the work that has been done since 2011-12 regarding refresher courses on tactical approaches - and the training is continuing - to ensure that they are sound in terms of facing the challenges out there.
Somlomo, mhlonishwa Nyambose, kwengikade ngifuna ukukusho, okuningi kwakho ukuchazile kodwa ngifuna ukuthi ngigcizelele la odabeni lwabafelwa nabafelokazi. Umthetho kufuneka uqine ikakhulukazi kulaba ababulala amaphoyisa ngoba lo mkhuba uchaza ukudelela umthetho, kukhomba futhi ukudelela nokungawuhloniphi uMthethosikelo wezwe.
Ngakho-ke mhlonishwa, mina ngicela ukuthi kunoma ngoluphi udaba la kufe khona iphoyisa, abameli abamele umnyango noma umndeni baqinise ijoka ukuze lowo muntu obulale iphoyisa athole isigwebo esikhulu. Ngaphandle-ke uma lelo phoyisa kuyilo eligangile, kodwa uma life lifela emsebenzini, lapho makugcizelelwe ukuthi akufanele kudlalelwe emthethweni ngoba ukubulala iphoyisa kungukuchukuluza uMthethosisekelo.
UNGQONGQOSHE WEZAMAPHOYISA: Siyabonga kakhulu Boya benyathi; siyavumelana kakhulu nawe kulokhu okushoyo. Umphakathi kufanele ukhunjuzwe ukuthi uma kubulawa amaphoyisa kuchaza ukuthi wona njengomphakathi awuzukuvikeleka. Ngakho-ke kuwumsebenzi wethu sonke ukuthi silwisane nale nto. Siyazibonga futhi neziyalo zakho ozibekayo ikakhulukazi kwezomthetho mayelana nokuthi zenziwe njani lezo zigilamkhuba ezibulala amaphoyisa uma sezibanjiwe. Siyabonga. (Translation of isiZulu paragraphs follows.)
[Mr V B NDLOVU: Speaker, hon Nyambose [clan name], you have explained most of what I wanted to say myself, but I want to put a special emphasis on the support given to the bereaved spouses of police members. The law must be strictly applied to all those that murder members of the police, because what they do indicates their complete disregard for it and the Constitution of the country.
Therefore, sir, my request is that in police murder cases, lawyers representing the department or those representing the bereaved families must ensure that the accused are given heavy sentences, unless of course the police members murdered were the ones at fault. If a policeman dies on duty, it should be emphasised that the law must be strictly applied and the accused should be made aware that murdering a policeman or a policewoman is regarded as open defiance of the Constitution.
Thank you very much, Boya benyathi [clan name], we totally agree with you. The public must be reminded that when they murder police members then their safety will be consequently threatened. Therefore, it is everyone's duty to fight against this scourge. Thank you also for the advice you have offered regarding the punishment that should be given to all the criminals that are responsible for police member murders. Thank you.]
Hon Speaker and hon Minister, in the police service there is a thin blue line between anarchy and law and order in this country. Every single attack on the police must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. In discussions with some police officers, especially after the killings here in the Western Cape, they indicated that there were contributing factors. One of them was that when they are in a vehicle, they struggle, for instance, to access their firearm because of the bulletproof vest.
I would like to ask the Minister if he would consider sanctioning scientific research to determine the underlying reasons for these murders, so that we can establish whether there are specific contributing factors and so that we can address them.
Chairperson and hon member, if what has been raised is there, we will gladly look into it. The most important thing is to do everything in our power to ensure that they are safe. Thank you.
Government's position on AU report on Zimbabwean election process
211. The Leader of the Opposition (DA) asked the Minister of International Relations and Co-operation:
What is the Government's position on the African Union's report on the Zimbabwean election process? NO2395E
Order! I have been informed that the Deputy Minister will be answering questions on behalf of the Minister.
South Africa is a founding member of the African Union and as such has acceded to various AU instruments that govern the conduct of democratic elections, including the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance. In this regard, South Africa considers elections as a platform by which the nurturing of governance through the electoral process enhances democracy and builds solid foundations for citizens' full participation in democratic practice.
On 31 July 2013 Zimbabwe's harmonious elections marked an important milestone in the political life of Zimbabwe and for the region as a whole. Holding regular elections remains a marker of progress and the entrenchment of democracy in any country in the world. [Interjections.] The people and the government of Zimbabwe should be commended for their resolve to craft their own destiny ... [Interjections.] ... despite the noted shortcomings they faced relating to preparations ... [Interjections.]
Order, hon members! I can't hear the Deputy Minister.
... relating to preparations, which included, among other things, logistical and funding challenges.
In this regard, South Africa, as a member of the AU, attaches great significance to the conclusions of the AU Observer Mission and fully supports the recommendations made by the 60-member observer mission. [Applause.]
Hon Chairperson, given the reports of serious irregularities, including vote rigging and interference with the voter's roll, why did our government rush to declare the elections successful and congratulate President Robert Mugabe on his election on 3 August, just three days after the poll? Can the Deputy Minister explain how it is that, at the SADC meeting in Lilongwe this weekend, we supported the position that recognised the election results when the final SADC report hasn't even been made public?
Hon Chairperson, it's important that one understands, firstly, that we are doing things in the context of rules and regulations ... [Interjections.] ... and therefore there was a background of SADC principles on how the observation of the elections would happen. Secondly, there is the issue of the African Union and its principles around adherence to elections, and thirdly, there is South Africa's own observer analysis.
For the first time, you had at least 550 to 560 observers in Zimbabwe. Secondly, there were at least 60 observers from the AU; nine of them were there for a period of at least a month to two months. [Interjections.] Thirdly, South Africa had at least 120 members as part of the SADC mission. The issue here is that what the Leader of the Opposition in this House wants to see and what the rules and regulations are is fundamentally different. If, in the instance of the input that was made here, the intention was to find an alternative to an election, then the answer is no, we subscribe to the democratic process. There were problems and those problems were identified by SADC, including shortages and various other issues. We have identified these issues; we highlighted them and we made recommendations for them to be corrected [Interjections.]
The reality is that even the leader of the opposition in Zimbabwe has withdrawn a court challenge. Therefore, who of us is supposed to do it - unless we are not satisfied even with that particular issue? [Applause.] [Interjections.]
Hon Chair, may I address you on a point of order? The Deputy Minister did not answer the question posed by the DA leader [Interjections.]. The Deputy Minister speculated on what he thought the Leader of the Opposition wanted to hear. She asked a direct question and he did not answer it.
Order, hon members! That is not a point of order. There is a request for supplementary questions. [Interjections.].
Hon Chair, Deputy Minister, you will agree with me that our government is a member state of the African Union and as such has an opportunity to participate in its internal processes. In this regard, the AU Observer Mission report should still be processed by AU member states and therefore pronouncements by member states should have the benefit of the collective view of the AU. However, it is a known fact that our government will always be ready to support other governments in matters relating to the processes of elections and, in so doing, actively promote democracy for all. Will the Deputy Minister inform the House about the nature of the support our government contributed to the running of the election in Zimbabwe? I thank you.
Hon Chairperson, the nature of support from South Africa must be seen in the context of the SADC itself. The SADC has requested all member states to help, first of all, with the issue of the observer teams. That we have contributed. Secondly, as part of the facilitation team, South Africa was requested by the SADC for the last five years to play a particular role in helping to mediate a process. Mediation by its very nature is always a difficult exercise, but we have seen the establishment of the Global Political Agreement in that process. We have seen a working through of difficult matters and eventually we have seen the process towards the election.
Even in the last couple of months, we saw extensive resources being spent by the SADC not only in support of free elections in Zimbabwe, but also to make sure that there is less violence. We saw that such measures can, in fact, lead to nonviolent elections. I think we must all commend the people of Zimbabwe for being able to go into this election, as difficult as it was, and we have seen no violence. [Applause.]
Mr Chairperson, I would like to know this: The report on the fairness of the election is still outstanding. When do you expect it? If it shows something negative, what is our stance going to be on it?
The SADC summit meeting was last week. The report was presented - the interim one. There is a final particular report. However, as we have seen, these elections were free. We saw a nonviolent election process. This morning, in the portfolio committee, we heard the definitional questions around fairness, etc. As we have said, we will be guided in that process by the SADC final processes. However, up to now, we are satisfied that the people of Zimbabwe were able to exercise their will in the context of the election. [Interjections.] We call on everyone to support the people of Zimbabwe. [Applause.]
Measures taken by SAPS to ensure safe storage of firearms and good mental health of police members
234. Ms M A Molebatsi (ANC) asked the Minister of Police:
(1) Whether the officer of the SA Police Service (SAPS) stationed at the Kuils River police station who recently shot and killed his wife with his service pistol was allowed to take his service pistol home; if so, what are the relevant details;
(2) what measures are taken by the SAPS to ensure (a) that firearms are safely stored (i) at police stations and (ii) by SAPS officials at their homes and (b) the good mental health of police members;
(3) whether police members are sent for regular psychological check- ups; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?