Deadline for green ID books revealed
The ID book is among the most fraud-prone identity documents in Africa because it relies on a physical photograph that can be manipulated.
GREEN identity (ID) book holders have until March 30, 2028, to apply for ID cards, as after that day, green ID books will become obsolete.
Also read: Protect yourself against identity theft
To apply for an ID card, residents can go to the Department of Home Affairs offices, while Capitec Bank customers can apply for new ID cards at the Seadoone Mall branch.
Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber recently announced that production of the green ID book will cease on March 31, 2027.
He said one reason to ditch the green ID book is that it is among the most fraud-prone identity documents in Africa because it is paper-based and relies on a manual photograph that can be manipulated.
“The green ID book sits at the core of the scourge of identity theft in the country,” said Schreiber.
He added that continuing to use the green ID book is incompatible with the requirements of a modern identity system.
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