SCAM ALERT: Discontinuation of green ID book by March 2018 is a hoax

"We wish to make it clear that the green barcoded 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." - Department of Home Affairs.

November 21, 2017

Tersia Gopi 1 minute read

A message circulated on social media, allegedly by the Department of Home Affairs, claimed the green barcoded ID book would no longer be valid after March 2018.

In an official media statement by the department, it stated this notice was false.

The false message on social media read as follows:

Official media statement issued by the Department of Home Affairs:

“No such announcement has been made by the Department. We wish to make it clear that the green barcoded 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.

MEDIA STATEMENT ON DISCONTINUATION OF GREEN ID BOOK https://t.co/RCJ0sZ0wsu

— HomeAffairsSA 🇿🇦 (@HomeAffairsSA) November 21, 2017

To this end, we call 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, visit ehome.dha.gov.za/echannel

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