Four million South Africans have smart ID cards: Gigaba
Over four million smart ID cards have been issued to South African citizens to date, Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba said on Friday.
“We have issued 4.1 million smart ID cards to date and have met our target of 2.2 million smart ID cards issued last year,” Gigaba said while tabling his budget vote in Parliament.
“We aim to issue another 2.2 million cards this year.”
Gigaba said the department would need to replace another 38 million ID books with the new smart cards over the next few years.
“Live Capture offices have increased from 140 to 178 and all of them now accept payment by cash, credit and debit cards,” he said.
“However, even with 178 modernised offices, getting to 38 million and beyond will pose an enormous challenge.”
The eHomeAffairs initiative launched earlier this month at the country’s banks was also bearing fruit he said. The initiative allows citizens to apply for their smart ID cards and passports online and fetch their documents at their nearest bank.
“Four banks have partnered with us to go live and the service is operational at 11 bank branches in Gauteng and one in Western Cape,” he said.
“As of yesterday [Thursday], close to 8,053 applicants had used eHomeAffairs to apply for smart ID cards and passports.”
Only applicants between 30 and 35 would at this stage be able to apply for their smart cards and passports through eHomeAffairs. Gigaba said this would change one more branches participated in the initiative.
“When we finalise the rollout plan for the eHomeAffairs as well as the conversion plan for the live capture and mobile units, we will review the cut-off date for the green ID book and announce new timelines.” - ANA