HIGHWAY residents can now apply for their smart card at Pinetown Home Affairs.
The new smart card IDs were officially introduced in July. The new ID cards resemble a driver’s licence.
Applicants can receive their new IDs in about 14 working days, according to South Africa info.
Pinetown Home Affairs manager, Ronnie Perumal said, “There is no need for Highway residents to go all the way to Durban as our offices now have the resources to make the smart cards.
“Senior citizens from 60 years upwards are given priority and can apply for free and also first time applicants.
“Issuing of the smart card is a paperless process, and the card is top of the range as it uses modern biometric technology to record details on a chip on the card,” said Perumal.
People are urged to come and apply for their smart cards while there is still time as in the next seven years it will be compulsory for all South African citizen to have one.
“To apply for the smart card, people need to have their ID number, R140 and they must come during their month of birth.
“But those who were born between January and May can apply because those months have passed already for this year.
“The smart cards will cut down on the fraudulent use of fake or stolen IDs, which is a major concern,” added Perumal.
Zanele Bhengu from Klaarwater who recently applied for her smart card ID said it was her choice to apply for the smart card as she was robbed recently.
“Home Affairs gives you a choice to apply for the old ID or the smart card and I chose the smart card.
“I think the smart card is a safer option as it is easy to carry around.
“People should apply for the smart card to minimise fraud,” said Bhengu.
Perumal said applying for smart card takes about 15 minutes.
“Once you are done with your registration you receive an SMS straight away and when it is ready for collection you are notified by an SMS.
“At the moment we have only one machine. People must be patient when they feel that they are being delayed,” said Perumal.
Pinetown Home Affairs is a place of absolute frustration. The lady in the photo is an employee . . .that is why she is smiling. The staff are rude, unhelpful (barring 1 little lady), the parking is a rip off. If you park literally for 2 minutes they want to charge you R10. The smart card machine is forever down. You get sent from pillar to post having to constantly deal with rude, incompetent staff. It does not cost alot to be pleasant. It is very difficult for people to get time off work to sort this sort of things out or spend their entire Saturday at Home Affairs . . .the least they could do is be pleasant about doing their jobs instead. If I were to treat my customers they way they treat the public coming there I would be fired on the spot. When exactly are the government departments going to set up criteria for their staff dealing with the public on a daily basis?! Home Affairs Pinetown is in desperate need of some training in client services.