South Africa to fight housing fraud with biometrics

Driven by increasing incidents of housing fraud in South Africa, biometric technology is being considered to help stop people from reapplying for the government’s low-cost housing scheme when they have previously benefited from the program, according to a report from Sowetan Live.

When it comes to housing fraud, it is not uncommon for applicants to sell the house they were given from the program, and reapply for another. According to Lindiwe Sisulu, Minister of Department of Human Settlements (DHS), the reconstruction and development program (RDP) housing backlog is currently at 1.8 million. The introduction of biometric systems for the project means that RDP house applicants’ biometric details will be registered, thus allowing the government to be able to detect if the applicant has already participated in the program.

It was reported by AllAfrica, that the DHS will launch a biometric identification system for the N2 Gateway Housing Project in Cape Town. During the handover of more than 2,000 title deeds and three houses at the N2 Gateway Housing Project last year, Sisulu had announced, "In 2016 we are going to launch a biometric system to ensure the houses we are giving out today and those we have handed over in the past are occupied by their rightful owners."

The minister will continue to look into the use of biometric systems to hinder housing fraud, especially after the success of the implementation in India. With the help of identity management and verification systems, the government can ensure that houses are assigned to and occupied by their rightful owners.