The Department of Home Affairs has reached yet another major milestone on its digital transformation journey. The Department has exceeded its own internal target of rolling out its new Digital Partnership Model to 100 bank branches by the end of March, with 110 branches already live across the length and breadth of South Africa. Additionally, First National Bank (FNB) has officially become the third bank to join the rollout of this ground-breaking project at their branches.
Just three weeks after the first branch was launched, 77 branches of Capitec Bank, 30 branches of Standard Bank, and the first three branches of First National Bank are now live throughout the country, offering Smart ID replacement services in communities that never had access before. When compared to the existing 248 Home Affairs offices offering Smart ID services, the addition of 110 more service points constitutes a 44% service expansion in just three weeks.
To date, more than 25 000 Smart ID applications have already been processed through participating bank branches, with the system processing applications at a rate of more than one per minute. Through this new model, citizens are now able to apply to replace their Green ID Book or a lost Smart ID at participating bank branches in as little as five minutes, avoiding long travel times and queues.
This initiative forms part of the Department’s Home Affairs @ home reform programme, which aims to build a modern, digital-first Home Affairs ecosystem and transform how citizens access government services. Instead of citizens being forced to travel great distances and stand in long queues to access services at just a few physical locations around the country, Home Affairs @ home is using digital transformation to bring services to citizens right where they live.
This new service does not require any prior booking or paperwork, and is secured through cutting-edge fingerprint and facial recognition technology. By eliminating paper-based manual processes and official discretion, the application process has also been secured against manipulation and fraud.
Having already exceeded the initial target of 100 bank branches by March 2026, Home Affairs is firmly on track to deliver on its target in the Medium-Term Development Plan to reach 1 000 bank branches by 2029. The rollout remains deliberate and phased to ensure system stability and service quality, with further expansion planned in the coming weeks. Absa Bank and Nedbank are currently in varying stages of testing and are expected to go live once testing is complete.
The Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber, said: “The rapid pace at which Home Affairs is fixing long-standing problems is a testament to the power of reform-minded leadership that embraces innovation. In addition to what we have already delivered, over the coming weeks, first time Smart ID applications, Passport applications, secure courier delivery of IDs and Passports, as well as applications submitted via digital banking apps will all become reality through these reforms.”
Minister Schreiber concluded: “By expanding access and inclusion at a scale and pace not seen before, we are eliminating long queues and freeing up Home Affairs resources and officials to focus on complex tasks that have been neglected for decades, including late birth registrations and ensuring the systematic documentation of all South Africans in underserved areas. This is how we are delivering dignity for all.”
Existing Home Affairs branches and mobile offices remain available to all citizens. To find your nearest bank branch offering Smart ID services, visit: www.dha.gov.za/banks.
Enquiries:
Acting Spokesperson to the Minister
André Gaum
Cell: 082 211 5572
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