South Africa has stepped up efforts to manage undocumented immigration by integrating biometric verification technology into enforcement operations.
The Ministry of Home Affairs, under the leadership of Dr. Leon Schreiber, recently launched the “New Broom Operation,” targeting illegal immigrants occupying public spaces. In the initial phase of the operation, authorities arrested 25 suspects in Cape Town’s District 6, where land designated for restitution to forced removal victims was being unlawfully occupied.
A core element of the operation is the use of biometric tools — including fingerprinting and facial recognition — to authenticate the immigration status of detainees. Officials assert that this method reduces the risk of fraudulent documents and strengthens the legal foundation for enforcement actions. Dr. Schreiber highlighted the broader benefits of digital transformation across the department, noting significant advances in border management both at the borders and inland.
This digital modernization is central to South Africa’s overall government strategy, which Dr. Schreiber detailed in a speech on digital transformation late last year.
According to reports from International Online, biometric checks are conducted onsite during raids. The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) confirmed plans to expand these operations to Johannesburg, Durban, and other major cities in the coming weeks.
However, the Public Servants Association (PSA) has expressed concerns regarding privacy and data security tied to the biometric system’s deployment. The PSA urged that robust data protection protocols be implemented to safeguard personal information and stressed that adequate funding and staffing are critical for the success of the “New Broom Operation,” highlighting persistent personnel shortages within the DHA.
In March, the DHA announced a comprehensive upgrade to its national security infrastructure systems. This upgrade will enable facial and fingerprint biometric verification for key government agencies, including the National Treasury, the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), and financial institutions.
Officials report that the upgraded system will improve verification speed, security, and accuracy, with internal tests showing an error rate of less than 1%.
To support these enhancements, Dr. Schreiber has approved fee adjustments for private sector users of the digital verification platform. Since April 1, private entities have faced increased fees for these services — the first rise in over a decade. Public sector fees, however, remain unchanged.
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