Home Affairs clashes with SITA, triggering major IT fallout

Home Affairs declares war on SITA, sparking IT breakup amid system failures.

The Department of Home Affairs has officially begun severing its relationship with the State Information Technology Agency (SITA), accusing it of ongoing inefficiencies, repeated system failures, and poor service.

In its 2025/2026 performance plan, the department announced it would shift to private IT providers to improve reliability, reduce costs, and strengthen national cybersecurity.

“To successfully transition away from SITA, the Department of Home Affairs is exploring partnerships with private IT providers that can deliver robust, secure, and high-availability services,” said the DHA.

The department expects this shift to reduce downtime, simplify procurement, and cut expenses. Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber appears determined to achieve what his predecessors could not: sever SITA’s grip on the department’s digital backbone.

Government calls for IT procurement freedom

Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi backed the DHA’s move, proposing that state departments be granted the authority to bypass SITA and choose their IT vendors.

“SITA faces mounting challenges, including governance concerns, irregular procurement practices, operational inefficiencies, and an alarming deterioration in service delivery,” Malatsi warned.

His remarks echo growing frustration within government ranks over SITA’s ability to deliver mission-critical IT services.

SITA strikes back: “We’re not the villain.”

SITA refuses to accept the criticism quietly. Tlali Tlali, Head of Corporate Affairs, defended the agency’s track record and accused DHA leaders of using SITA as a scapegoat.

“SITA has become an all-too-convenient scapegoat for project failures or inefficiencies, even in cases where we had no operational role to play,” said Tlali.

He warned against DHA’s narrative, emphasizing SITA’s vital contributions and massive ICT investment of around R7 billion from a R24 billion collective government budget.

“The department is currently consuming core services from SITA. At a cost of about R243 million of its R1.2 billion ICT budget allocation,” Tlali explained.

Tech upgrades undermined by Home Affairs rejections

SITA highlighted its R400 million investment in revamping its core network. The upgrade spans 24 switching centres and includes SDN-ready systems, VPN migration, and 10Gbps core rollout by October 2024.

Despite these initiatives, DHA reportedly rejected several SITA recommendations, including a dual-line redundancy plan. And a pro bono Digital ID solution aligned with national digital transformation goals.

SITA insists it delivered all agreed milestones, even under severe budget constraints. And that delays stemmed from procurement bottlenecks and decision-making lapses at the departmental level.

Cybersecurity, infrastructure, and reform efforts in motion

To address national security concerns, SITA says it is reinforcing cybersecurity protocols, launching awareness campaigns, and aligning with global standards.

“The Agency is prepared to engage the DHA further to clarify misconceptions and to re-establish strategic alignment,” Tlali stated.

He also acknowledged past governance issues. But stressed that SITA is actively implementing internal reforms to rebuild trust and improve delivery.

Justice system frustrations add fuel to the Home Affairs fire

DHA isn’t the only government entity locked in conflict with SITA. Parliament’s Justice and Constitutional Development Committee has also criticized the agency for delaying digital initiatives.

“It comes across as if there are delays in what the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development have been planning to do due to SITA,” said committee chairperson Xola Nqola.

The Integrated Justice System (IJS), which aims to connect the DHA, SASSA, and justice agencies. Has stalled due to SITA’s limited capacity and slow procurement processes.

The Auditor General issued a scathing review, citing SITA’s failure to implement recommendations and granting it a disclaimer audit opinion. Leadership instability, high vacancy rates, and boardroom conflicts have worsened the situation.

“The committee and the AG now bear the responsibility of strengthening accountability to see through the problems engulfing the entire system,” Nqola concluded.