South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs (DHA) is pushing to break free from the State Information Technology Agency (SITA) due to persistent system failures, delays, and high costs.
The move aims to boost efficiency, cybersecurity, and service delivery by partnering with private IT providers.
Why Home Affairs Wants Out of SITA
According to the DHA’s 2025-2030 Strategic Plan, the department has long struggled with SITA’s inefficiencies, including:
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Frequent system outages disrupting critical services like immigration and biometric systems.
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Delayed procurement processes, leading to irregular expenditure.
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Excessive costs compared to market rates, straining budgets.
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Poor third-party management, worsening service disruptions.
These issues have hampered key projects like the Biometric Movement Control System (BMCS) and Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS), raising national security concerns.
Digital Transformation & Private Sector Partnerships
The DHA is now exploring partnerships with private IT providers to ensure stable, secure, and cost-effective services. This shift is part of a broader digital transformation strategy outlined in the 2024-2029 Medium-Term Development Plan.
Livhuwani Tommy Makhode, Director-General at DHA, stated:
“The DHA is grossly underfunded and depends on third parties for critical services, particularly network connectivity. We are reassessing our relationship with SITA to ensure uninterrupted service delivery.”
He added:
“Digital transformation is more than just technology—it requires overhauling operating systems, business processes, and securing skilled personnel to meet our goals.”
Key Challenges Driving the Split
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System Downtime – Frequent crashes at SITA-managed data centers disrupt border controls.
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Procurement Delays – Slow approvals lead to audit findings and service gaps.
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Cost Overruns – SITA’s pricing exceeds market rates, draining DHA budgets.
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Cybersecurity Risks – Lack of 24/7 monitoring exposes sensitive immigration data.
What’s Next?
The DHA has applied for exemption from SITA’s mandatory services, seeking flexibility to procure IT solutions independently. If approved, this could speed up modernization, improve service delivery, and strengthen national security.
With SITA’s struggles hindering progress, the DHA’s move toward private IT partnerships could be a game-changer for South Africa’s immigration and identity systems. Will this divorce lead to a more efficient, secure future? Only time will tell.
Telkom Vows To Prevent Digital Loadshedding In South Africa
Telkom Vows To Prevent Digital Loadshedding In South Africa
Telkom Group CEO Serame Taukobong has pledged that the telecom giant will intervene to ensure South Africa avoids “digital loadshedding” if the State Information Technology Agency (SITA) fails.
Speaking at the 45th Southern African Telecommunications Association (SATA) Annual Conference, Taukobong stated that Telkom, through its subsidiaries BCX, Openserve, and Telkom Consumer, is ready to step in and stabilise the country’s digital infrastructure.
SITA Crisis Sparks Government Clash
SITA has become a contentious issue between Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi and Portfolio Committee Chairperson Khusela Diko.
Malatsi has proposed new regulations allowing government departments to bypass SITA for IT procurement, arguing it will improve efficiency and reduce costs. However, Diko has condemned the move as unlawful, warning it could further cripple the already struggling agency.
Business Leaders Warn of Investment Risks
During a SATA panel discussion, Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA) CEO Busisiwe “Busi” Mavuso highlighted the risks of dysfunctional public institutions like SITA, stating they undermine South Africa’s appeal as an investment destination.
“We cannot position South Africa as an investment hub if key institutions like SITA are failing,” Mavuso said. “Digital transformation cannot succeed if critical entities are dysfunctional.”
While she commended Minister Malatsi’s efforts to reform SITA, Mavuso warned that attracting investment would remain futile unless systemic issues are resolved.
“We must fix our institutions first, only then can we be taken seriously,” she emphasised.
