On 1 April, the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) confirmed in a statement that it has reached yet another major milestone on its digital transformation journey. The Department has exceeded its own internal target of rolling out its new Digital Partnership Model to 100 bank branches by the end of March, with 110 branches already live across the length and breadth of South Africa.
The Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber, said: “Just three weeks after the first branch was launched, 77 branches of Capitec Bank, 30 branches of Standard Bank, and the first three branches of First National Bank are now live throughout the country, offering Smart ID replacement services in communities that never had access before. When compared to the existing 248 Home Affairs offices offering Smart ID services, the addition of 110 more service points constitutes a 44% service expansion in just three weeks.”
To date, over 25 000 Smart ID applications have already been processed through participating bank branches, with the system processing applications at a rate of more than one per minute. Through this new model, citizens are now able to apply to replace their Green ID Book or a lost Smart ID at 2 participating bank branches in as little as five minutes, avoiding long travel times and queues.
According to DHA, this new service does not require any prior booking or paperwork, and is secured through cutting-edge fingerprint and facial recognition technology. By eliminating paper-based manual processes and official discretion, the application process has also been secured against manipulation and fraud.
Schreiber, said: “The rapid pace at which Home Affairs is fixing long-standing problems is a testament to the power of reform-minded leadership that embraces innovation. In addition to what we have already delivered, over the coming weeks, first time Smart ID applications, Passport applications, secure courier delivery of IDs and Passports, as well as applications submitted via digital banking apps will all become reality through these reforms.”
He added that Home Affairs is firmly on track to deliver on its target in the Medium-Term Development Plan to reach 1 000 bank branches by 2029.
