| Media release |
| HOME AFFAIRS ROLLS OUT NEW HIGH-SECURITY PASSPORT |
HOME AFFAIRS ROLLS OUT NEW HIGH-SECURITY PASSPORT
Wednesday, April 8, 2009 - The Department of Home Affairs will from today start producing the new South African passport with improved security features. The Minister of Home Affairs, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Deputy Minister for Arts and Culture, Mantombazana Botha, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Malusi Gigaba, today officially opened the printing facility in Pretoria which houses the new passport machine.
The new South African passport, introduced as part of the Department’s Turnaround programme, is aimed at improving customer service and stamping out forgery of the passport. The introduction of the new process improves the integrity and security of the passport, bringing it in line with the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) standards for technology and security.
To further improve security in the passport production process the recently introduced online fingerprint verification system will be used to confirm the identity of the applicant. This is done to positively verify the identity of the applicant as well as to minimise risks of identity fraud. Persons who need to apply for a passport are therefore required to visit their local Home Affairs office or foreign mission in person.
Applicants are now required to submit high-resolution colour photographs upon application. Photograph specifications are available from all Home Affairs offices and on the website.
The new passport contains several high security features that are tamper-proof, making it impossible to forge. The passport holder’s biographical data is laser-engraved on a polycarbonate page and the paper used for the other pages of the passport includes a watermark of Chief Albert Luthuli. Fine line security background designs depicting the Big Five are printed on the pages.
The previous South African Passport remains valid until its expiry date or it runs out of pages.
After applying, clients can check the status of their applications by SMS (send the word “P” followed by ID number to 32551); log onto the Department’s website: www.dha.gov.za or by calling the Call Centre on 0800 60 1190.
For more information please contact:
Siobhan McCarthy
Chief Director: Communications Services
Contact: 012 810 7338/082 8866 708
Email: Siobhan.mccarthy@dha.gov.za
OR
Joseph Mohajane
Media Relations
Contact: 012 810 6315/082 909 3543
Email: joseph.mohajane@dha.gov.za
RELEASED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HOME AFFAIRS
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Released by Chief Directorate: Communication
Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa(Head of Communication)-ronnie.mamoepa@dha.gov.za 082 990 4853 | 14/04/2009 |
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