Acsa has placed its Chief Information Officer on precautionary suspension due to allegations of wrongdoings in relation to the biometric and digital identity technology project.

After issuing a statement on August 3, claiming that there were no irregularities in the procurement processes of the biometric project, Acsa says it undertook a preliminary investigation and found evidence of wrongdoing. It is on this basis that the Chief Information Officer has been suspended.

Local company InfoVerge said it had taken Acsa to court over the procurement process. The company claimed that it was sidelined in the implementation of the biometric system at South African Airports by French company IDEMIA.

IDEMIA was awarded the R115 million (€5.8m) contract to implement the new technology, on the grounds that 30% of the value was subcontracted to a South African, black-owned enterprise. InfoVerge was chosen as this partner.

“ACSA became aware of an impasse between the two business partners (IDEMIA and InfoVerge) and engaged both companies with a view to foster an amicable resolution in the interest of delivering on the contract. ACSA was satisfied that the two business partners would work together in the delivery of the required services,” the company said in a statement.

Despite these efforts, the business partners did not reach an amicable solution and InfoVerge approached the High Court Gauteng Local Division to challenge Acsa’s decision to award the tender to IDEMIA. Acsa is cited as the second respondent in the trial.

“ACSA is currently considering options in relation to the contract for the provision of the ABC project, e-Gates and single token that has been entered into with IDEMIA,” said Acsa.