‘One of the Most Laundered Documents’: Home Affairs Minister Declares War on Green ID Book

The green ID book is costing South Africa billionsand Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber wants it gone.

Speaking at the launch of smart ID services at Standard Bank’s Maponya Mall branch, Schreiber said the document is “widely recognised as one of the most laundered on the African continent.”

The Problem

Around 16 million South Africans still rely on the green ID book.

“Fraud linked to weak identity systems costs South Africa billions of rands every year, with the country still using outdated modes of identification,” Schreiber said.

The banking sector feels the brunt. Identity theft leads to illegal credit applications, loans, and fraud.

The Solution

Schreiber’s department is committed to rolling out smart ID services in over 1,000 bank branches over the medium term.

Currently, the service is available at 49 bank branches across South Africa, with Capitec and Standard Bank the first to roll out under the new digital partnership.

South Africans can apply to:

• Replace their green ID with a smart ID card

• Reissue ID documents if stolen, lost, or damaged

The Progress

In 2025, Home Affairs issued a record four million ID cardsthe highest rate in the department’s history.

That stands in stark contrast to previous years, where many offices couldn’t even handle smart ID applications.

“When I assumed office, I found that nearly a third of existing Home Affairs offices do not even have the capability to handle smart ID applications, with the result that new green IDs are still being produced despite the risks.”

The Vision

The new digital partnership model enables South Africans to obtain smart IDs from hundreds of bank branches, and from digital banking applicationsenhancing access particularly in rural and underserved communities.

“That is why this digital-first reform is the most pro-inclusion and pro-poor step that Home Affairs has taken in many years.”

Future plans include passport services.

The Bottom Line

The green ID book’s days are numbered.

“Accelerating the transition to the smart ID to strengthen our national identity system is one of the core aims of this project, and we encourage South Africans to seize the opportunity and secure their identity by transitioning away from the green ID book.”

Sixteen million to go. Four million done. The war on the green ID book is underway.

{Source: dailyinvestor}

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com