NEWS AND EVENTS

Press Release

Cape Town: On Wednesday, 10th April, 2013, newly registered NPO, Identi Masses, achieved its first milestone by successfully registering the scholars at Rosendal Primary School in Delft, Western Cape. Under consent from the parents, the children’s personal and biometric information was taken electronically. Further to this, samples of the children’s DNA were also taken also taken using a non-evasive, salvia method. All of the children’s data and samples are stored in a safe and secure National Electronic Database and DNA Bank.

The purpose of this exercise is to assist the South African Police Services and other NGO’s involved with missing children by having all data securely available when required on a case by case basis. In the event of a child going missing, the fast access to this vital information is crucial in the search, and positive identification of a missing child thereafter. The increasing number of children going missing annually is a growing concern in our country.

Identi Masses is therefore proud to be able to play an active and leading role in the protection and future of our children by making this service available to all children nationwide, even in the most rural areas.

Participation in the project is voluntary and parents are under no obligation to consent to the collection of a child’s information. The project aims to reach as many children between the ages of 5 – 18 years as possible. Identi Masses has started in the Western Cape, and will be rolled out to all provinces, aiming to capture the data of all children, nationally in the shortest time possible.

The computer systems and children’s database has been designed by Worldwide Applications (Pty) Ltd. Worldwide Applications has many years of experience in the development of fraud prevention systems within the credit industry. Many of their systems are deployed within the banking and insurance industry, and the same stringent security measures is used for the safe guarding this children’s national database.

Anyone interested in finding out more about the project or wishing to participate or sponsor a child, are invited to contact Wilma Wilson at wilma.wilson@identimasses.org.za