Pretoria: The Department of Home Affairs is continuing its efforts to replace the green barcoded ID books with more secure smart IDs. Responding to questions at an Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration media briefing on Sunday, Home Affairs Minister, Dr. Leon Schreiber, highlighted the vulnerabilities of the green ID, noting it is the most defrauded piece of identity document in South Africa.
According to South African Government News Agency, studies reveal that the green ID is also the most defrauded identity document on the African continent. This is largely due to its physical photograph, which can be easily manipulated or swapped. Schreiber emphasized that if someone loses their green ID or it is stolen, it can be easily manipulated by inserting another photo.
The minister further explained that artificial intelligence is being used to manipulate documents, allowing criminal syndicates and illegal foreign nationals to exploit IDs. Currently, there are about 16 million green ID books still in use, which the government aims to replace with secure smart IDs.
Schreiber noted that through a digital partnership with the banking sector, individuals can walk into bank branches to switch from the green ID to a smart ID. The initiative is expanding rapidly, with a goal of reaching 750 bank branches by the end of the year. Currently, more than 178 branches, many in rural areas previously lacking access to such services, are live.
Last week, it was announced that the government will establish an Intelligent Population Register containing biometric data for every person in South Africa. New regulations will also be introduced to prevent the misuse of Traffic Registration Numbers (TRNs). This is part of a broader effort to strengthen migration management while upholding constitutional values and human dignity.
As part of the process, the government will progressively phase out the green barcoded identity book, which President Cyril Ramaphosa stated has been exploited by undocumented immigrants and criminal syndicates to facilitate identity theft.