Thank you, Chairperson. It is supposed to take 30 working days or six weeks from the date of application to issue an ID. The department measures this regularly and we are aware that in practice it takes even longer; even up to 100 days or more on average.
The department is therefore implementing some interventions which are intended to ensure an improved turnaround. One of those includes the introduction of an Identity Document Electronic Track and Trace System which will enable both the Department of Home Affairs as well as applicants to determine the status of any application at any given time through the various stages of processing.
It will, furthermore, serve to improve the management system of applications for identity documents. We are also reviewing courier services to improve the efficiency and turnaround times regarding the dispatching of applications to the department's head offices on time. We are also introducing a South African Post Office contract for the distribution of identity documents so that we are able to dispatch the applications of the people well on time back to the offices of source.
We have also established an Identity Document Project Team to review all processes in the production chain of identity documents so as to introduce new, efficient and faster processes. Thank you.