Hon Deputy Speaker, hon Martins, the answer is yes, the training of officials, including immigration officials who will be directly involved in issues related to the Advanced Passenger Processing, APP, system at the three main ports of entry, namely O R Tambo International Airport, Cape Town International Airport and Durban International Airport, commenced on 6 October 2009.
It must also be noted that the APP system does not eliminate the current immigration checks that all inbound passengers are required to undergo. It will, however, allow a great majority of travellers to be precleared as low- risk before they arrive at our ports of entry, and as a result the clearance process will be accelerated.
Locally, the APP system forms part of the department's greater 2010 communication strategy and is being embarked upon as such internationally. The International Air Transport Association or the control authorities working group is well aware of the acquiring of the system by the Department of Home Affairs and the processes thus far, and the department is regularly represented at its annual meetings or workshops.
Of course, in addition to this, there is also work that is being done with the Local Organising Committee, LOC, in terms of recruiting volunteers. They will not be doing immigration work, but they will be assisting in directing passengers so that the queues can be cleared quickly. Thank you.