Two reasons why some South Africans don’t have smart ID cards

It has been 44 years since green ID books were introduced in South Africa. The reluctant switch to smart ID is likely due to some sort of emotional attachment to the document. However, some have revealed the real reason for this.

Millions of South Africans still use green ID books. Newzroom Africa Some citizens took to the streets on November 14, 2024 to find out why they still did not have a smart ID. Interviewees said they did not part with their ID books for two main reasons; long lines and cost.

WHY DON’T SOME SOUTH AFRICANS STILL HAVE SMART ID CARDS?

To talk Newzroom AfricaA small number of citizens who were given the chance to share their reasons for not having a smart ID mentioned two reasons. They stated that there should be no ID fee and that the long queues in front of the Ministry of Internal Affairs were keeping them busy. One of them said there were often long lines at the Home Office and you still couldn’t get help “even if you paid someone to hold the line for you.”

Another citizen complained about making the necessary payment for the smart ID. He complained: “I’m not prepared to pay R140 to replace it. They changed the system so they have to give me the first one for free and then if I lose it I pay for it. “I don’t want to pay because they changed the system.”

THE IMPORTANCE OF SECURITY

The Ministry of Internal Affairs frequently reminds citizens that the smart ID card has better security features. These features help increase identity security. Accordingly My BroadbandA 2024 report from Smile ID Digital Identity Fraud found that fraud was detected in Know Your Customer checks. Fraud was detected in approximately 34% of cases where the green ID book was used while accessing different services.

South Africa On 26 October 2024, a warning was issued to SASSA beneficiaries from the Ministry of Home Affairs. The ministry said beneficiaries without smart ID cards are vulnerable to detecting theft and fraud.

OLD DOCUMENTS THAT REMAIN VALID MAY INCREASE FRAUD

Smile ID also stated that keeping the green ID book valid after switching to a smart card could increase fraud. “Logistic issues involved in properly disposing of old IDs can lead to them falling into the wrong hands,” the report said.

HAVE YOU SWITCHED TO SMART ID YET?

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