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Gigaba launches paperless system at Marabastad refugee centre

Source: EWN, 12/09/2016

Malusi Gigaba says ridding the application process of queues decreases
chances of collusion and corruption.

Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba views an Automated Asylum Seekers
Booking Terminal which will be used to automate booking at the
Marabastad refugee reception office in Pretoria. Picture: Dineo
Bendile/EWN.

-Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba says the introduction of a
paperless system at the Marabastad refugee reception office will
contribute towards eradicating corruption.

Gigaba conducted a tour of the office in Pretoria today where
interventions are underway to improve the services provided to asylum
seekers.

The office has been a cause of concern for years due to continued
allegations of fraud and corruption, as well as human rights
violations.

The Department of Home Affairs believes the introduction of automated
systems at the Marabastad centre will eradicate long queues and other
challenges they present.

Minister Gigaba says ridding the application process of queues
decreases the chances of collusion and corruption.

"The proses of making online booking is going to exclude anybody from
within the department who could, in the past, assist you to gain
access to the centre."

Last year, lobby group Lawyers for Human Rights released a report
which detailed corruption at the centre where asylum seekers were
forced to pay as many as four bribes just to have their paperwork
finalised.

Now Gigaba says such human rights violations will be drastically
decreased through the use of technology.

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