Schreiber opened his address by acknowledging the media’s enquiries over the past few weeks regarding ongoing issues within the department.
Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber has issued a stark warning about the state of the department, highlighting significant security vulnerabilities that threaten the country’s national security.
Addressing Parliament’s portfolio committee on home affairs, on Tuesday, Schreiber emphasised the need for a comprehensive and sustained digital transformation to address the systemic crisis within the department.
A threat to national security
Schreiber opened his address by acknowledging the media’s enquiries over the past few weeks regarding ongoing issues within the department.Â
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He reiterated his commitment to transparency, stating that Parliament, as the representative of the South African people, is the appropriate forum to address these concerns.Â
Schreiber expressed his gratitude to the chairperson, Mosa Chabane, and the committee for “providing the opportunity to disclose the gravity of the situation”.
Schreiber said:
The reality of what we will present today should shock all of us.
He warned that the issues at hand are not isolated incidents, but are indicative of a systemic crisis that threatens the national security interests of the country.Â
Schreiber drew parallels to Shakespeare’s Hamlet, suggesting that something is indeed “rotten” within the state of the country.
Call for digital transformation
Schreiber said the problems facing home affairs are not merely administrative hiccups, but are symptoms of a deeper crisis.Â
He argued that these issues should be viewed as case studies, highlighting the urgent need for digital transformation across the department.Â
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The minister urged Parliament to consider the systemic nature of these problems and to support the proposed digital overhaul as a matter of national security.
Schreiber said:
The lack of a modern digital system to process all applications, adjudications and communication at home affairs is the root cause of the national security threat we face in this sector.
He highlighted several examples of how outdated paper-based systems have led to serious breaches of security, including the issuance of handwritten visas to the Libyan nationals found at a camp in Mpumalanga and the processing of incomplete visa applications.
Systemic failuresÂ
Schreiber did not mince words when describing the systemic failures within the department.Â
He pointed out that home affairs systems are vulnerable to fraud, corruption, and human discretion due to their antiquated nature.Â
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The minister criticised the reliance on officials from other government departments for processing applications at foreign missions, noting that home affairs currently operates with only 40% of the staff required to fulfil its duties effectively.
Schreiber argued that these vulnerabilities are not just technical issues, but are indicative of a department in crisis.Â
He said:
It would frankly be a dereliction of duty on the part of everyone in this room if we do not move with urgency to digitally transform home affairs.
Schreiber warned that if these issues are not addressed, the department will continue to operate as a “department of firefighters”, constantly reacting to crises rather than preventing them.
Need for bold action
The minister called for bold action to prevent future abuses, including identity theft, visa fraud, and corruption.
He stressed that until home affairs is transformed into a digital-first department, these problems will persist.Â
Schreiber acknowledged the progress made in clearing the permitting backlog, which had accumulated over a decade, as an example of what could be achieved with a clear goal and the necessary resources.
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Schreiber concluded by urging Parliament to support the digital transformation of home affairs as an “apex priority” for the current administration.
He warned that the costs of inaction would be felt for decades to come.
Fork in the road
Schreiber ended his address in a dramatic fashion, presenting Parliament with a choice: continue with the current system, dooming South Africa’s national security, or embrace digital transformation to decisively address fraud and corruption while improving service delivery and creating jobs.
Schreiber said:
The time has come for home affairs to be given the tools and support we urgently require.
He expressed confidence in the department’s ability to succeed, citing the successful digital transformation of the SA Revenue Service as a model to follow.
With the support of Parliament, Schreiber envisions a future where home affairs operates as a digital-first department, ensuring the security and sovereignty of the country.
Sthembiso Lebuso
www.news24.com
