Question NW2065 to the Minister of Home Affairs
10 December 2024 - NW2065
Tetyana, Mr Y to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
(1) What (a) is the current backlog of (i) abridged birth certificates, (ii) birth certificates and (iii) identity documents for South African citizens, (b) is the number of applications pending for each document type, (c) are the main causes of the delays, (d) specific interventions has he implemented to address the backlog and expedite processing for South Africans waiting for these critical documents, (e) is the geographical distribution of the backlog and (f) time frames have been put in place to completely eradicate the backlog; (2) whether he has found that rural areas are disproportionately affected; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
(1)(a)(i)(ii)
Prior to March 2013, the Department issued abridged birth certificates on the spot upon registration of the birth of any child, which is a shortened version of the birth record of the child. There is therefore no backlog on abridged birth certificates. Since March 2013, the department started issuing full birth certificates on the spot upon registration of the birth of any child, which is a detailed version of birth record of the child, inclusive of particulars of the parent(s). There is also no backlog on these birth certificates.
(1)(a)(iii)
Identity Documents do not have a backlog currently, however, from time to time, the processing of Identity documents experience system and verification challenges which lead to delays and eventually lead to the department to exceed the committed turnaround times.
(1)(b) As indicated above, there is no backlog on Identity documents.
(1)(c) Mostly, delays in production are caused by various levels of verifications of profiles and submitted supporting documents. These verifications take place at different levels and platforms within the value chain of production. Verification is the most critical stage of identity document production as it ensures quality, security and mitigation of risks.
(1)(d) The Department monitors production value-chain on an ongoing basis to identify bottlenecks and put action plans in place to clear and mitigate areas of concern. Relationships have been strengthened with stakeholders that are involved in the value-chain of producing Identity documents for compliance and meeting expectations.
(1)(e) Upon identifying delays at any stage, an approach is always based on what is on production line and never on geographical specifics.
(1)(f) The Department does not have any backlog at the moment as documents are issued within stipulated turnaround times.
2. The Department has an approved footprint throughout the country and has partnered with other institutions e.g Department of Health to increase its footprint. The Department has 227 mobile units that are distributed in all provinces in order to cover areas without DHA offices.
END.