police to google earth?
14 May 2008

The SA Police Service (SAPS) will use satellite imagery to help it monitor the country's borders, says deputy national commissioner for operational services Andre Pruis.
However, Pruis, at a parliamentary media briefing, did not elaborate on what satellite technology or application would be used.  “I have the satellite application right here in my bag,” he said.

Pruis said the satellite imagery, along with manned and unmanned aircraft that would be purchased in preparation for the 2010 World Cup, would be used to help SAPS to establish which parts of the border are vulnerable to smuggling or illegal crossing, and so determine where to deploy police.

The police are taking over the border protection role from the SA National Defence Force (SANDF), and Pruis says that by 2009, 5 300 police personnel will be stationed along the country's borders. “Applications such as satellite imagery have a great use. For instance, along the South African/Mozambique border, near Swaziland, and the north of KwaZulu-Natal there are swamps that make it very difficult to cross from the Mozambique side, so we don't have to deploy as many forces there.”

Another border protection measure cited during the Justice Crime Prevention and Security Cluster briefing included a new cargo scanner that has been installed at Durban harbour. It will help curb the smuggling of illegal and counterfeit goods, and is the first of 18 to be installed around the country.  The briefing also mentioned steps being taken by the Department of Home Affairs that has converted to the e-government service system in the delivery of its products, using Hanis (Home Affairs National Information System).

These include:

• New processes for the late registration of births, which came into effect on 1 May. The processes will close the loopholes that have allowed people to obtain South African birth certificates through fraudulent means.
• A speeded up refugee registration system to ease congestion and speed up the asylum-seekers registration process, in Cape Town. The Cape Town office was able, in February, to process 300 Section 22 permits in a single day.
• Finally, the project to develop and implement the e-passport system is incorporated into the 55 turnaround projects for 2008 at the Department of Home Affairs. The project charter has been completed and is under consideration for approval. The Government Printing Works has secured an interim production site and a hi-tech printer has been procured. The specifications for the capturing, enrolment and personalisation are being developed.

Paul Vecchiatto, www.itweb.co.za