THE Department of Home Affairs is ready to roll out the smart ID card to the public with effect from 1 February. This was announced by Minister Naledi Pandor last week.
The department has successfully revamped 28 offices across the country to facilitate applications for the Smart ID cards.
With effect from 1 February, the department stands ready to take applications for the smart ID cards for people 16 years old and more. First time applicants can apply any month of the year. Sixty year old pensioners born during January and February must approach home affairs offices during the month of February to apply. From March this year, 60 year olds and above can now apply in accordance with their months of birth.
All other citizens should wait for invitations to apply.
At this stage, applications for the Smart ID card can only be made at the Durban-commercial and Pietermaritzburg offices.
The department urges people to exercise patience as the process of rolling out the smart cards will take a few years, and people are to remember that the smart ID cards will be issued freely to 16 year-olds first time applicants and pensioners who are 60 years and above only.
