The green bar-coded South African ID will not expire on 31 March next year. The Department of Home Affairs confirmed that a message was doing the rounds that it would expire, but said that it never made such an announcement.
The department of Home Affairs has noted a message in the social media space and wish to categorically state that it is false. pic.twitter.com/tlfuu8Mg2d
— HomeAffairsSA 🇿🇦 (@HomeAffairsSA) November 20, 2017
Spokesperson Mava Scott said although the department intends to phase out this ID to make way for smart ID cards, this does not remove the green bar-coded ID of being a legal form of identification.
“It will continue to be until such time that the Live Capture System is rolled out to all Home Affairs offices to enable South Africans to apply for Smart ID cards at their nearest offices,” he said.
“The Department has developed a plan to systematically phase out the green ID book and ultimately consolidate the restoration, common citizenship, identity and dignity to South Africans.”
On Twitter, many expressed their unhappiness with still having to pay for a smart ID card. Many feel this should be free before they will apply for it.
😂😂😂😂R140.This another scam of our Gvt to chow our money by force
— #IamTT_P🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦✊🏼✊🏼✊🏼✊🏼✊🏼💝 (@Iam_ttpepeta) November 20, 2017
We hv to deal wd such at home, nd pay for IDs we didn't ask for no 😟😟 pic.twitter.com/AJj095LcuW
— Yummy love (@KEsDaughter) November 20, 2017
Scott said the department still calls on South Africans to apply for Smart ID cards at any of the 180 offices that are equipped with the Live Capture System.
“In addition, the Department has established a partnership with FNB, Standard Bank, Nedbank and ABSA to create an online portal where clients can lodge their application without visiting a Home Affairs office.”
To apply, you can visit ehome.dha.gov.za/echannel
Tell us, would you apply and pay for a smart ID card? Let us know on our Facebook page!
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