68

African countries are adopting digital identities systems as part of the
development of digitialised services and a digital economy.
Zimbabwe has embarked on an integrated digital system project which
according to the home affairs ministry will allow for issuance of 'national ID
cards and biometric passports, register the birth of children, help security
services monitor and track down criminals, and then also facilitate safe border
crossings into the country'. 69 The integrated population registry system will
connect major public data controllers such as the Zimbabwe Republic Police,
Immigration, Registrar General, and Central Vehicle Registry and also it will
connect to hospitals among others. This system according to the ministry will
connect 'government ministries, departments, and agencies to enable them
deliver different important services to Zimbabweans and other nationals living
in the country'. First, there is no specific law articulating DIS in Zimbabwe as in
many other African countries and the protection of digital identities is assumed
to be included in data protection laws. Second, the creation of DIS falls within
ministries such as home affairs and requires coordination with other ministries
and departments.
In South Africa, a draft Official Identity Management Policy was published in
2020.70 This draft shows the number of laws that are relevant for the creation of
digital identities and the complexity which data authorities are required to
navigate. These laws for South Africa include; Alteration of Sex Description and
Sex Status Act 49 of 2003; Birth and Deaths Registration Act 51 of 1992;
Citizenship Act 88 of 1995; Identification Act 68 of 1997; Immigration Act 13 of
2002; South African Passports and Travel Documents Act 4 of 1994; Refugee
Act 130 of 1998; Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination
Act 4 of 2000; Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 25 of 2002;
Promotion of Access to Information Act 2 of 2000; Promotion of Administrative
Justice Act 3 of 2000; Regulation of Interception of Communications and
Provision of Communication-related Information Act 70 of 2002; State
Information Technology Agency Act 88 of 1998 among others. These laws are
already authorising the collection of personal data, with public data controllers,
and DIS will combine these data sets.

Rubinstein SI Big Data: The End of Privacy or a New Beginning?

International Data Privacy Law

.

https://www.chronicle.co.zw/digital integrated system to revolutionise access to government services/ April

.

https://static.pmg.org.za/Draft_Official_Identity_Management_Policy_Version_with_Call_for_Comments.pdf accessed April

.

PAGE

Select target paragraph3