Home Affairs probing 21 identity-theft and fraud cases, Schreiber tells Parliament

The Department of Home Affairs is investigating 21 cases involving identity theft and fraudulently obtained identity documents, Minister Dr Leon Schreiber told Parliament on Tuesday.

How the cases are being handled

Schreiber said the matters are being investigated by the department’s Branch: Counter Corruption and Security Services. He said internal disciplinary proceedings will be opened if evidence shows Home Affairs officials “aided and abetted imposters to acquire SA-enabling documents unlawfully.”

He added that cases with “prima facie evidence of criminal conduct” would be referred to law enforcement agencies for criminal investigations. The department will also make recommendations to business units to apprehend foreign nationals who acquired enabling documents unlawfully and to assist citizens who fell victim to identity theft.

Detection methods and interagency work

The department uses biometric enrolment and verification processes supported by identification systems and the National Population Register to detect duplicate, fraudulent or compromised identities. Schreiber said the department also verifies source documents and supporting records against the National Population Register and related departmental systems.

Other measures named by Schreiber include risk-based system controls, exception reporting and investigations arising from complaints, intelligence reports and internal detections.

Schreiber said Home Affairs works with law enforcement and security agencies “to investigate and address suspected identity fraud.”

Information sharing with the IEC

On whether Home Affairs shares information with the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC), Schreiber confirmed that the departments have “information-sharing and verification arrangements supported by an electronic interface and system integration.”

He said this setup allows identity information submitted during voter registration and voting to be verified against the National Population Register and related Departmental systems. Schreiber added that identification systems help protect the integrity of the register through biometric verification and the detection of “duplicate, fraudulent, cancelled, blocked or otherwise invalid identity records.”

He also said the DHA and IEC engage through established intergovernmental coordination structures on election preparedness and the integrity of identity information used in electoral processes.

What this means

The statements to Parliament outline the department’s use of biometric systems and cross-agency arrangements to detect and prevent identity fraud. The minister described a combination of internal investigation, disciplinary action and referrals to law enforcement as the response where unlawful activity is suspected.