Home Affairs targets end of green ID books as 16 million South Africans yet to switch

Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber has urged South Africans to switch to smart ID cards, warning that green ID books remain vulnerable to fraud. Government plans to expand smart ID services to 750 bank branches by year-end.

Image: SAPS

The Department of Home Affairs is intensifying efforts to phase out South Africa’s green barcoded ID books, with an estimated 16 million citizens still relying on the outdated documents.

Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber said the department is encouraging South Africans to switch to smart ID cards, which offer stronger security features and are significantly more difficult to manipulate for fraudulent purposes.

Schreiber said studies have shown that green ID books are frequently exploited in identity-related crimes across the continent.

“These documents are vulnerable to fraud because the photograph can be removed and replaced with relative ease. If an ID book is stolen or lost, criminals can alter the photograph and use it to commit identity fraud,” he said.

According to Schreiber, the prevalence of such fraudulent activities is one of the key reasons government is accelerating the rollout of smart ID cards.

“We are working closely with banks to make smart IDs more accessible. Our goal is to expand the service to 750 bank branches by the end of the year,” he said.

Currently, smart ID card applications and collections are available at 178 bank branches across the country.

Schreiber added that the expansion of the programme is particularly beneficial for rural communities, where residents often have to travel long distances to access Home Affairs offices.

“People living in rural areas stand to benefit significantly from this initiative. At the same time, we are strengthening the security and integrity of South Africa’s identification system,” he said.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has also raised concerns about the continued use of green ID books, warning that they are susceptible to fraudulent manipulation.

The renewed push to replace the documents comes as South Africa tightens border controls and strengthens measures aimed at preventing undocumented migration. The issue has also sparked public debate, with marches taking place in several parts of the country calling for stronger action against illegal immigration.

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