Zuma launches e-ID project
MILESTONE: APPLICATIONS FOR SMART ID CARDS, PASSPORTS TO BE DONE ELECTRONICALLY
Instead of queuing at Home Affairs, people can now apply at banks for documents.
South Africans who want to apply for Smart ID cards and passports should no longer worry about having to queue for hours at Home Affairs department offices.
President Jacob Zuma has launched a pilot project through which South African citizens can electronically apply for these items at four of the major banks. The project is called e-Home Affairs and was launched during a glittering ceremony at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand on Thursday.
Zuma said the project was a big step further in modernising the Home Affairs department, tightening up its security and ensuring alll its services were more accessible.
“This is a very important development as we seek to build a state that is responsive to the needs of our people,” said Zuma.
“People cannot apply for grants and houses without the IDs produced by Home Affairs. This project will also enable banks to reduce fraud by confirming the identities of their clients. It will ensure that more voters have IDs and can register and exercise their democratic right to vote.”
Zuma described the introduction of Smart ID Cards in 2013 as a milestone.
“The National Population Register has more than 38 million citizens who are in possession of a green ID book. All those books must be replaced within a period of five years. Furthermore, there are one million additional 16-yearolds every year that require smart ID cards.”
The project is currently only accessible to people aged between 30 and 35 in Gauteng and Cape Town, according to Home Affairs spokesperson Mayihlome Tshwete.
“We want to make the application process more effective. The e-Home Affairs will be available to people of all qualifying ages in all the provinces during the course of this year,” said Tshwete.
Applications can be finalised at Standard Bank, Absa Bank, First National Bank and Nedbank. –