Home Affairs minister reveals over 4.4 million South Africans without IDs
Over 4.4 million South Africans aged 16 and more remain undocumented, Minister Schreiber says. The department plans mobile services, bank access, and courier deliveries to ensure everyone receives a Smart ID card efficiently.
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Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber has revealed that more than 4.4 million South Africans aged 16 and older do not yet have identity documents.
The disclosure comes in response to a parliamentary question from EFF MP Nonhlanhla Mkhonto, who asked for the total number of South Africans without IDs, the demographic makeup of these individuals, the plans the department has to address the challenge, and the timeframe for these interventions.
According to Schreiber, the National Population Register shows that “there are a total of 4 432 923 South Africans who are 16 years and above who have not been issued with either a green ID book or smart ID card.”
“This figure applies to all demographics within South Africa,” he added, highlighting that the challenge affects citizens across all racial and age groups.
To address the issue, the minister highlighted the department’s digital transformation programme, Home Affairs @ Home, saying it “is designed to reduce pressure on the home affairs system by lessening the need for applicants for routine services to physically visit offices.”
He explained that the programme expands access to smart ID and passport services at “1 000 bank branches and through digital banking apps” and introduces “the option for doorstep courier delivery.”
“This model will allow the department to become a more mobile organisation that systematically documents all undocumented South Africans across the length and breadth of the country,” Schreiber said.
Schreiber also detailed the department’s performance targets. “At APP level, the Department has to issue 2 750 000 Smart ID Cards. This includes both first issues and re-issues,” he said.
At the Annual Operational Plan level, the department aims to issue “90% of first issue applications within the turnaround time of 54 working days and 95% of re-issue applications within the turnaround time of 47 working days.”
“These timelines are similar for all Home Affairs offices, including the applications made at banks,” Schreibe said.
hope.ntanzi@iol.co.za
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