The Gauteng provincial government has joined hands with Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries to develop strategies to confront the pressing issue of identifying deceased individuals who pass away within the province without proper documentation. This innovative initiative, which could potentially link Gauteng’s recently introduced digital fingerprint system with neighbouring nations’ fingerprint databases, is set to revolutionise the identification process for foreign nationals.
Amidst the sprawling urban landscape of Johannesburg, a pivotal meeting was convened at the Department of Health’s offices. In attendance were diplomats, high commissioners, and representatives from Zimbabwe, Mozambique, the Kingdom of Eswatini, Namibia, Botswana, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The recent tragic incident of the Johannesburg inner-city fire, which claimed 77 lives and left many unidentified, served as a stark reminder of the challenges posed by undocumented individuals. This event underscored the pressing need for cross-border cooperation.
Departmental spokesperson Motalatale Modiba articulated the urgency of this initiative, stating, “The fire killed and left only 12 people recognizable. The 64 falls under the DNA queue, where DNA samples are taken from the respective families to match their relatives. Eighty-eight people were injured.”
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Commendations and Expectations from SADC Representatives
In a show of solidarity, Zimbabwean ambassador David Hamadziripi praised the digital fingerprint initiative. He highlighted its spirit of collaboration and its potential to ensure dignified burials for individuals passing away far from home. Manuel Nuvunga, counsellor for political and diplomatic affairs in the High Commission of the Republic of Mozambique, described the intervention as a game changer with far-reaching implications for the processing of deceased SADC citizens who die in neighbouring states.
Gauteng’s Cutting-Edge Fingerprint System
Premier Panyaza Lesufi and MEC for Health and Wellness Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko provided the SADC representatives with insights into the state-of-the-art forensic pathology digital fingerprint system currently being rolled out in Gauteng. This system employs biometric scanners and third-party access to databases of the Department of Home Affairs, the South African Police Service, and the National Credit Bureau to identify deceased individuals.
Lesufi acknowledged the system’s limitations, stating, “However, it cannot yet identify people from other countries.” He further stressed the urgent necessity to link Gauteng’s digital fingerprint system with SADC population registers as a long-lasting solution to address the challenge of undocumented immigrants at forensic pathology services mortuaries. In the 2022/2023 financial year alone, Gauteng witnessed approximately 1859 stateless individuals buried as paupers, with 248 exhumation requests approved.
Lesufi underscored the importance of engaging with representatives from the SADC region, recognizing the significant movement of their citizens within the province. “What we are doing here is part of consulting stakeholders, and we believe that this is the beginning of better relations and cooperation among our respective countries so that we can assist others in servicing our nationals.”
A Promising Horizon
This unprecedented collaboration between Gauteng and SADC nations represents a significant step towards addressing the challenges associated with identifying deceased individuals who lack proper documentation, ultimately ensuring that everyone receives a dignified farewell. As the digital fingerprint system expands its reach, it promises to not only strengthen identification processes within Gauteng but also enhance the region’s ability to handle cross-border cases efficiently. This collaborative effort exemplifies the power of regional cooperation in tackling complex and pressing issues.
This joint endeavour has the potential to transform the way countries within the SADC region handle the identification of deceased individuals. As the digital fingerprint initiative takes hold, it holds the promise of providing closure and dignity to families and communities, regardless of nationality. The meeting in Johannesburg serves as a testament to the region’s commitment to overcoming shared challenges, fostering goodwill, and working together towards a brighter, more unified future.