WARNING: Important For All Green ID Book Holders
Urgent Transition: Green Barcoded ID Books Set to Become Invalid
Holding on to your green barcoded ID book may soon put you at risk, as the South African government is moving toward a complete phase-out of this outdated document.
Citizens who haven’t upgraded to the more secure smart ID cards face serious issues like exorbitant debts, identity theft, and challenges registering for higher education.
The Department of Home Affairs emphasizes the importance of this transition to protect individuals from fraud and identity theft.
Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Njabulo Nzuza, has raised concerns about the rising identity theft linked to the old green ID books.
In an interview with eNCA, he explained, “Citizens have suffered at the hands of scammers. Duplicate IDs from the old, barcoded ID are a significant problem.
The smart card makes it difficult for this to occur. That is why we are migrating everyone to a smart card, phasing out the green barcoded ID to ensure a secure environment.”
Nzuza also addressed efforts to combat internal corruption and irregularities in issuing permits and IDs, assuring citizens that the smart ID rollout aims to enhance security and efficiency.
“We fixed the system. Now, we are transitioning to digital platforms, allowing you to interact with a computer from the comfort of your own home,” he added.
Despite these efforts, the phase-out of green ID books has faced delays. The smart ID card rollout began in 2013 and was initially expected to take two years.
More than a decade later, the Department of Home Affairs has yet to meet its goals. Former Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi expressed frustration over the slow progress, stating, “We want to eliminate the green barcode ID. It’s time to end the dual identity documents. Soon, we will announce that the green barcode ID will no longer be valid.”
While green barcoded ID books remain valid for now, South Africans should prepare for an announcement regarding their expiration soon.
Thabo Mokgola, a spokesperson for Home Affairs, confirmed that the transition is coming but did not specify a date. It’s crucial for citizens to upgrade to smart ID cards to avoid complications in the future.
