Replacing bar-coded ID is in everyones’s interest

WE HAVE read the letter and your comment thereon regarding smart ID cards for naturalised citizens – “Are you more of a South African than others” – (The Star, July 30).

If it still assists a few things should be clarified. When the smart ID card was first introduced in 2013, the decision was to take a phased approach in receiving applications.

The department was mindful of existing limitations, with only a select number of offices empowered to process smart ID card applications, online, through the live capture system.

There were around 38 million people with the green bar-coded ID books that had to be replaced.

Therefore, applications were invited per categories, with the priority initially being on first-time applicants 16 years and above and senior citizens 60 years and above. Smart ID cards are free for first-time applicants, 16 and above, and the elderly, 60 and above.

Of the 411 Home Affairs offices across the country, only 184 offices and 14 branches of participating banks (Absa, FNB, Nedbank and Standard) are currently on live capture.

The department continues to roll out the issuance of smart ID cards in a phased-in approach.

The process of expanding the live capture footprint and the verification process of the records for naturalised citizens are ongoing as are the system upgrades which will make provision for this category of applicants.

Upon determination of adequate footprint and system status readiness, an announcement will be made to give naturalised citizens an opportunity to apply for smart ID cards.

Maybe it’s how this was explained to the client at the respective office.

It’s not policy to refuse to give IDs to any citizens. All citizens qualify for IDs. It is in the department’s – and country’s – interest to complete the replacement of the old green barcoded ID books with the new smart ID cards.

In the case of smart ID cards, it is only that the department is not yet ready to extend to other categories of citizens, as stated, due to limited capacity and verification of status of naturalised citizens, which the department is working on.

There is no intention to treat people differently; it is only what can be provided with current systems.

Naturalised citizens will use their green ID books until such time that they will have been issued with smart ID cards.

The same applies to all other citizens who are still to apply for or collect their smart ID cards.

The green ID books will remain valid until the department had made an announcement in this regard.

Citizens who pay a fee for smart ID cards (R140) are only those who are not first-time applicants or are not pensioners 60 years or above. David Hlabane Media manager, Department of Home Affairs