Pretoria: The Department of Home Affairs has achieved a significant milestone in its digital transformation journey by partnering with the banking sector to offer Smart ID card services at 203 bank branches. This initiative expands access to this critical service, which has been utilized by over a quarter of a million people since its launch on 9 March.
According to South African Government News Agency, the previous model offered Smart ID replacement services at only 248 Home Affairs offices and 32 bank branches. The addition of 203 bank branches marks a 73% expansion in service access in just over three months. This project is significantly enhancing access to Smart ID services and accelerating efforts to replace the vulnerable Green ID Book.
Approximately 16 million South Africans still use the Green ID Book, which is susceptible to fraud and identity theft. President Cyril Ramaphosa has emphasized the importance of replacing it with the Smart ID card to strengthen South Africa's identity system, protect citizens, and secure the population register.
The Home Affairs @ home reform programme is facilitating this transition on a large scale. The 203 bank branches now offering the service include 109 Capitec branches, 74 Standard Bank branches, and 20 FNB branches. Customers can apply for a Smart ID in as little as five minutes through a fully biometric process that requires no paperwork or prior booking.
Home Affairs stated that this milestone represents the largest reform and expansion of its services since the dawn of democracy. Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber highlighted the achievement, noting the processing of over 250,000 transactions in just over three months as a demonstration of progress through the Home Affairs @ home reform programme.
Minister Schreiber announced plans to expand the Smart ID replacement service to 750 branches by the end of the year. Additionally, services will soon include first-time Smart ID applications, passport applications, and home deliveries at these bank branches. He urged South Africans with a Green ID Book to switch to the Smart ID to combat identity theft and fraud.
Dr Schreiber encouraged citizens to utilize the digital partnership with banks by visiting dha.gov.za/banks to find their nearest branch and make the switch to a Smart ID today.