Pretoria: The South African government has announced the establishment of an Intelligent Population Register containing biometric data for every person in the country, alongside new regulations to curb the misuse of Traffic Registration Numbers (TRNs). This initiative is part of a broader strategy to enhance migration management while maintaining constitutional values and human dignity.
According to South African Government News Agency, President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation on Sunday evening, emphasizing the government's resolve to bolster identity management systems, seal gaps in immigration controls, and enhance enforcement against undocumented migration. Central to these reforms is the creation of an Intelligent Population Register designed to verify identities through biometric data, laying the groundwork for a future Digital ID system.
President Ramaphosa stated that the move aims to fortify the integrity of South Africa's identity management system and combat identity fraud. Part of this process involves phasing out the green barcoded identity book, which he noted has been misused by undocumented immigrants and criminal organizations to facilitate identity theft. The Department of Home Affairs will eventually set a date when the green ID books will no longer be recognized.
In addition to these measures, the government plans to address the misuse of Traffic Registration Numbers, which have been utilized by foreign nationals for vehicle registration and ownership but have increasingly served as an alternative form of identification. This has exposed vulnerabilities within South Africa's identification framework. President Ramaphosa announced that the Department of Transport would issue new regulations within the next three months to align vehicle registration processes with the country's identification laws.
These initiatives are part of a larger Comprehensive Approach for Migration Management adopted by the Cabinet last week. The strategy includes enforcing stricter immigration and labor laws, enhancing border security, implementing anti-corruption measures in the immigration system, and reforming citizenship and migration legislation.
In his weekly newsletter, President Ramaphosa acknowledged public concerns about illegal immigration, including its impact on jobs, economic opportunities, public services, and crime. He assured that the government's response would be guided by the Constitution, the rule of law, and international obligations, stressing that the majority of foreign nationals in South Africa are not involved in criminal activities. He cautioned against allowing migration issues to incite intolerance or violence, emphasizing that the management of migration is a collective responsibility.
The President concluded that the new identity management measures, along with stronger border controls, enforcement actions, and legislative reforms, are intended to ensure lawful living and business conduct in South Africa, while upholding the nation's commitment to human dignity and social cohesion.