Government defers eVisa project
‘‘The project is titled ‘modernisation of civil registration and immigration systems.’ The estimated project cost was E263 million, but a company styled Crypto Technology (Pty) Ltd was to be given E5 million to undertake the project.”
MBABANE –The eVisa Project has been deferred. An eVisa is issued and recorded electronically and one does not need a visa label (sticker) in his passport.
In the fiscal budget for 2023/2024, there is no allocation for the project that was marred by controversies.
This resulted in Parliament’s resolution that an investigation be instituted to determine the integrity of the tendering process.
UNDERTAKE THE PROJECT
Parliament handled the issue after the Times SUNDAY had revealed that a company engaged to undertake the project was owned by Prince Guduza and Khandlela Mdluli, the Director of Protocol at the King’s Office.
Prince Guduza is the brother of the Minister of Home Affairs, Princess Lindiwe Dlamini.
The project is titled ‘Modernisation of civil registration and immigration systems’. The estimated project cost was E263 million, but a company styled Crypto Technology (Pty) Ltd was to be given E5 million to undertake the project.
Later, it was said the project might cost E47 million.
Under capital projects to be undertaken in the next financial year beginning April 1, 2023, the Ministry of Home Affairs has been given E3.539 million.
Its recurrent expenditure is E147 922 826.00.
The deferment of the project is highlighted in the budget estimates for the years April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2026.
It has been learnt that there is a project in the Ministry of Information, Communication and Technology which is almost similar to the modernisation of civil registration and immigration systems.
The project is titled ‘Installation of an automated biometric identification system’. The total cost is E80 million.
In the 2023/2024 fiscal year, government will set aside E63 million for completing the procurement of automated biometrics identification system (ABIS).
SUPERVISION OF A HANGAR
On another note, a sum of E128.204 million from the donor community will be utilised for the construction and supervision of a hangar. This includes a hangar apron to accommodate two aircrafts (Airbus 340-300 and MD-87).
It will also be used to construct an office for aircraft maintenance staff and a storeroom. Parliament is yet to scrutinise the financial books presented to the House of Assembly yesterday.
They were presented by Neal Rijkenberg, the Minister of Finance. The Public Accounts Committee (PAC), sitting with Auditor General (AG) Timothy Sipho Matsebula would look into the AG’s Report.
It can also seek clarity on the budget estimates, especially capital projects audited by the AG’s Office.
Pertaining to the modernisation of civil registration and immigration systems project, the Times SUNDAY reported last year that the directors of Crypto Technology (Pty) Ltd were Prince Guduza and Khandlela Mdluli.
Prince Guduza Gadz’stimela Dlamini is a former Minister and current Chairperson of the Minerals Board while Khandlela Sibusiso Mdluli is the Director of Royal Protocol at the King’s Office.
REGISTERED
They are directors of Crypto Technology (Pty) Ltd which they registered in July 2020.
It was reported that the tender was awarded to the company in deviation of the preferred method of procurement – the open tendering outlined in the Eswatini Public Procurement Act of 2011.
According to tender documents, the scope of work entailed the installation of e-visa, work permits, civil registration and digitalisation of birth/death certificates, marriage certificates, IDs and passports/travel documents.
The justification for this project was to optimise service delivery as the Ministry of Home Affairs wished to conform and adhere to international modern practices and standards to fulfil its mandate.
It was said that the mode of service delivery should be made accessible at the convenience of both citizens and visitors at the local service centres across the country.
The ministry stated in its motivational paper that in line with the fourth industrial revolution drive and in compliance with the national vision to attain the First World status by 2022, it intended to leverage on technology to achieve its mandate through implementing a modernised and integrated civil registration and immigration systems.
The initial tender to install eVisa was cancelled by the Eswatini Tender Board under questionable circumstances. Crypto had not been registered by then.
The cancelled project had been initiated by the administration of the late former Prime Minister, Sibusiso Barnabas Dlamini.
It was cancelled by the Ministry of Home Affairs through the Eswatini Tender Board.
Companies which submitted proposals under revoked Tender No.66 (ERFP) of 2018/2019 were as follows (in no particular order) -
Data Net,
Euro Africa
Bytes
Canadian Bank
Idemia/South Africa/France Technobrain
Delarue
Gelmato Southern Africa
Geno PTY (LTD)
Evergreen Trading Enterprise Slomoes Corporation
VfS Global
Krtrimaiq Cognitive Solutions
INSTALL E-VISA
Crypto Technology (Pty) Ltd was also reportedly expected to install eVisa and work permit integrated systems at the King Mswati III International Airport, Ngwenya Border Gate and Lomahasha Border Gate.
African Countries using eVisa include Gabon, Kenya, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Most of the European countries offer eVisa services as well.