The Department of Home Affairs has taken note of a message purported to be from the Department announcing that the lifespan of the green bar coded ID book comes to an end on 31 March 2018.

No such announcement has been made by the Department.

“We wish to make it clear that the green bar coded ID book remains a legal form of identification and 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. 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,’ the department said in a statement.

Read: KNP: No ID, No passport…no access to the Kruger Park!

They call on all 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, visit ehome.dha.gov.za/echannel