Smartcard ID now in its pilot phase

POLOKWANE – The smartcard identity document (ID) initiative by the department of home affairs is still in its pilot phase and an official invitation will be issued by the department to the public through mass media once it has passed all tests.

The department officially went online with this initiative on January 13.

Dolly Ntukwana, the acting provincial manager of the department of home affairs, said the department was testing the smartcard ID with first time applicants, 16-year- olds and people aged 60 years and above. These applicants will not pay for their applications, but after the pilot phase applicants will pay R140 per application.

“To avoid a stampede, we decided to first help these people.

“As soon as we are done with them, an official invitation through the mass media will be directed at the rest of the public.

“We ask that people be patient as this initiative is stretched over a period of seven years.

The green ID is still valid and will be valid until the smartcard ID is successfully implemented and every citizen applied for theirs,” Ntukwana explained.

Once the pilot phase is over, residents will be invited to apply for a smartcard ID in time slots allocated acording to their birth months.

“This is a paperless initiative. Residents must come with their ID’s and, using their ID numbers, we will be able to access all their information.

No ID photos are needed as we will take pictures at the department. Fingerprints will also be taken electronically. The process takes about 30 minutes, unless there is a queue at the department,” Ntukwana explained.

She said after the application is complete, the applicant will receive an SMS as confirmation of application.

“Within three to five working days the individual will receive another SMS notification to collect smartcard ID at the department,” she said.