BUDGET VOTE 4: HOME AFFAIRS

BUDGET VOTE 4: HOME AFFAIRS
UPDATE ON THE HANIS PROJECT

BACKGROUND

HANIS is basically a computer system intended to replace the old manual identification/verification processes at Home Affairs. By automating the processes, more accuracy is achieved at faster rates, thus improving service delivery while ensuring secure registration abilities by, among others, issuing a unique identity number. A machine-readable identity card, which would include a photograph and a thumbprint of the applicant, were envisaged as the key features of the HANIS card. The system has an interface with the Population Register System. One major objective of the system is the elimination of fraud.

Above is the original definition of the system. However, the scope has changed dramatically, with Change Management introducing a few vital things.

The system comprises the following major components:

Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS)
Identity Card
System Integration

These are the HANIS business processes

ID Card application
ID Card reissue
Hardcopy verification
On-line verification
Off-line verification
ID determination
Case files

These are the HANIS subsystems:

Infrastructure Subsystem

Image Capture Subsystem

Control Subsystem

Identification Subsystem

Card Production Subsystem

PROGRESS

The following table shows some significant events in the history of the HANIS project, as well as the corresponding dates.

17 January 1996	Cabinet approved the HANIS project.
6 December 1996	A comprehensive tender was published.
21 January 1999	Cabinet suggested an investigation into the change of the mode of the HANIS card from ordinary two-dimensional barcode card to smart card.
12 February 1999	After a protracted evaluation process the tender was awarded to the Marpless Communications Technologies (Pty) Ltd. Consortium
8 November 1999	Eventually, the HANIS Supply Contract between the Department of Home Affairs and the Contractor was signed. Through change Management (CR #1) the ID Card component was excluded from the contract.
31 January 2000	The Honourable Minister launched the HANIS Project.
18 February 2002	The HANIS Basic System Commissioning (BSC) milestone was reached.
27 August 2002	The HANIS Basic System Operational (BSO) milestone was achieved.

NOTABLE SYSTEM ACHIEVEMENTS DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD

Basic System Operational when the system went live is a very significant project milestone

An average 6000 records intake per day
About 600 000 records already captured on the ID Card application
About 38 000 records captured on the case files
Using complex biometrics-reliant technologies, the system does not permit a situation whereby anyone could, like in the past have two identity numbers
The system issues strictly unique identity numbers – no two persons can have the same identity number.
Many hits have been recorded, and in this manner aliens tracked.

BUDGETS

ITEM	2002/2003	2003/2004
Personnel Expenditure	R7, 593,042	R9, 595,000
Administrative expenses	R1, 131,600	R1, 721,000
Inventories	R1, 124,000	R1, 239,000
Equipment	R148, 622,899	R207, 609,847
Professional Services	R59, 458,459	R40, 219,886

The total expenditure until February 2003 is R806, 971,482

HANIS FOREX

As at the end of February 2003, the amount of money paid by the HANIS Project in respect of Forex adjustments is R201 million. The State Tender Board is resolving issues of contention about the application of adjustments.

CURRENT SYSTEM DRAWBACKS

Daily backlogs, about 5000, as a result of image capture problems – technology considerations that led to delays
The absence of a card is seen as a problem
Concrete (extrinsic) system value is yet to be seen
Serious staff shortages due to resignations and the current moratorium on posts

WAY FORWARD

The following are the short-term implementation strategies:

On-line Verification – the expansion of the initial verification service to cater for external bodies. This includes the HANIS Call Centre.
Fast-track the image capture processes by looking at some options, for instance, the flatbed scanners, etc. to do Back Record Conversion / Selective Image Capture.
Implement NEC Phase III for the expansion of the HANIS memory

These are the long-term implementation strategies:

The PPP procurement model for implementing the card component entails:

Employing Transaction Advisors
Doing the options analysis exercise
Feasibility Study
Tender processes – RFQ, RFP, etc.
Contract negotiations

Implementing the Disaster Recovery Plan.