a) The Department has done a lot with regards towards ensuring that fake passports are identifiable which include amongst others:
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- All passports have unique security features of which specimens were shared with all foreign governments present in South Africa for purposes of differentiating a fake passport from an authentic one.
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- During the production process of a passport a unique identifier is uploaded onto our Movement Control System which upon scanning at a port of entry is able to verify the authenticity of a passport, i.e. to check if such passport was issued by the Department.
- Airlines have access to the Advanced Passenger Processing system which enables them to screen travellers before they depart. The Department also runs a 24-hour Operations Centre which airlines can use if they want to authenticate SA passports. Department also regularly communicates with all airlines to update them on how to validate South African passports, including the look and feel.
b) Passports issued under fraudulent circumstances are traced, flagged as fraudulent and removed from the records.
c) We have started following up and arresting Home Affairs Officials and Foreign Nationals involved in passport fraud.
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