Delays at OR Tambo as Biometric System is Launched

JOHANNESBURG – Delays have been experienced at OR Tambo International Airport because of the rollout of the new biometric system to collect data on people arriving and leaving South Africa.

Reports on Friday said that delays at the Johannesburg airport were up to two hours long, although no reports have been received from the weekend. Chris Zweigenthal of the Airlines Association of Southern Africa said on Monday he believed members of the department of home affairs and Airports Company South Africa were to meet about the issue.

Delays were apparently predicted as South Africa fully introduces the technology to take the photos and fingerprints of passengers entering and leaving South Africa.

“There were always expectations of delays,” said Zweigental. “This is a learning-case situation.”

Apparently some of the biometric stations were taken offline and returned back to normal entry procedure over the weekend to relieve the flow of passenger traffic.

On Friday, OR Tambo International Airport said in a statement, “Passengers are advised that the Department of Home Affairs has changed over to the Biometric system. This may cause delays on International inbound and outbound passenger processing at the Immigration checkpoints. Passengers should be mindful of their connecting flight and adjust accordingly.”

In December home affairs minister Malusi Gigaba launched the pilot project on the capturing of biometrics at ports of entry and other issues of immigration. It was first launched at Lanseria in November and the following month at OR Tambo, King Shaka and Cape Town International Airports.

For the first registration, the department will capture all 10 fingers, and subsequent movements will require capturing of only one finger for verification purposes.

Gigaba said that by using biometrics, SA immigration is helping to prevent the use of fraudulent documents, protect visitors from identify theft and to stop criminals and immigration violators from entering the country.