Home Affairs suspends some services under level 3
The decision comes as the number of death certificates issued by the department has been on the increase.
HOME Affairs Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi has announced the suspension of several services rendered by the Department of Home Affairs under level 3 of the lockdown.
The decision comes as the number of death certificates issued by the department has been on the increase.
Addressing the media on Tuesday, Motsoaledi revealed that since December, the department has been issuing a high number of death certificates.
The figures, he cautioned, are set to spiral further by the end of January.
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To remedy the situation, Home Affairs offices have extended their operating hours until 7pm.
“We will be extending operating hours to 7pm to accommodate those needing to register deaths and births. This will be available from now until 15 February,” he said.
The department has suspended the application for smart IDs, with the exception of matriculants applying for IDs.
In other Covid-19 news: Lockdown level 3: Travel, tourism and gatherings unpacked
Applications for passports (except for those permitted to travel in by the Disaster Management Act regulations), marriage registration and solemnisation of marriages are also suspended as is the collection of IDs.
“I know this will be difficult but please bear with us as we save lives. Please don’t come to collect IDs unless you’re specifically invited to do so via SMS. We’ve decided to change the modality in which we operate, we are proposing that all births and deaths be registered at health facilities at which they took place,” he said.
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