Parliamentarians are set to probe the Ministry of Home Affairs over its failure to print and issue national identity cards.
This is outlined in today’s Order Paper, where Members of Parliament are expected to move a motion seeking the election of a seven-member committee to investigate the matter. The development comes three months after the ministry announced that it was experiencing technical challenges with its ID printing system.
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According to Ngudzeni Member of Parliament Charles Ndlovu, who is the mover of the motion, the select committee will also be mandated to make recommendations to ensure consistent availability and equitable distribution of identity cards across all four regions of the country and the 59 tinkhundla centres.
The motion is expected to be seconded by Deputy Speaker Madala Mhlanga, who also serves as the MP for Mhlangatane.
The MPs want the committee to table a report within 14 days after the adoption of the motion.
Last week, when Ministry of Home Affairs Communications Officer Mlandvo Dlamini was asked about the public outcry over the unavailability of national identity cards, he said the ministry was not silent for no reason. He stated that they were doing everything possible to address the issue. Dlamini described the situation as unfortunate and acknowledged that the ministry could not pretend everything was fine.
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“We understand the nation’s frustration and are actively working to resolve the matter,” he said.
However, members of the public argue that government has failed to offer adequate contingency measures or alternative solutions, leaving citizens to navigate mounting obstacles on their own.
Dlamini also pleaded for patience, stating that the ministry could not say when the problem would be resolved.
In previous parliamentary sessions, some MPs suggested that the ministry collaborates with the Royal Science and Technology Park (RSTP) to print and issue digital identity documents, in line with the country’s aspirations of attaining first world status.
Ndlovu is also expected to move another motion today, seeking for the Minister of Information, Communication and Technology Savannah Maziya to explain to the House why Legal Notice 189 of 2015 and the RSTP Act of 2023 had not been fully implemented across all government ministries.
In his motion, Ndlovu will further request the minister to clarify the reasons behind the lack of deployment and operationalisation of monitoring cameras, biometric systems and other ICT infrastructure at the Central Medical Stores, government hospitals, clinics and other departments responsible for managing stock and materials worth billions of Emalangeni.
He also wants the minister to provide a comprehensive report on the challenges faced in implementing these ICT systems and the measures being taken to address them.
This report is expected to be presented within 14 days of the adoption of the motion. The motion is expected to be seconded by Mhlambanyatsi MP Dr. Bonginkhosi Dlamini.
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