Faster, More Reliable Identity Verification
The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) is celebrating a major milestone following the successful overhaul of its identity verification system. This long-awaited improvement aims to enhance efficiency and reliability, benefiting both government institutions and the private sector.
The verification system plays a crucial role for entities like the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), National Treasury, and financial institutions, allowing them to authenticate client identities against the National Population Register.
Overcoming System Failures
Previously, the system suffered from a staggering 50% failure rate, with verification requests taking up to 24 hours to process and often returning incorrect results. However, the DHA has now introduced a comprehensive upgrade, significantly reducing the error rate to below 1%.
This enhanced system now integrates advanced biometric features, including fingerprint and facial recognition technology, ensuring faster and more accurate identity verification.
A Game-Changer for Service Delivery
Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber emphasized the importance of this upgrade, stating, “This marks the most significant upgrade to the Home Affairs identity verification service since its launch. It will drastically cut down waiting times for clients needing to verify their identity for services like social grants or banking.”
Strengthening the National Population Register
The revamped system will also fortify the National Population Register against fraudulent activity while expediting service delivery for both public and private entities. Additionally, this upgrade aligns with the department’s broader digital transformation strategy, including the rollout of smart ID cards (SIDCs).
Schreiber reaffirmed that the modernized population register is a crucial step towards implementing a secure and efficient digital ID system, as outlined by President Cyril Ramaphosa in the State of the Nation Address.
The Smart ID Shift and Challenges
A key priority for the DHA is replacing the outdated green ID book—commonly known as the “green mamba”—with smart ID cards. The department aims to complete this transition by the end of 2025.
However, technical challenges persist, particularly affecting permanent residents and naturalized citizens, who currently struggle to access the new ID system. Addressing this issue, Schreiber highlighted that the department is working urgently to resolve failures by its IT service provider.
New Fees for Private Customers
While public service providers remain exempt, private institutions using the upgraded identity verification system will face a fee increase starting 1 April. Schreiber stated that the price adjustment is necessary to sustain and maintain the improved service.
With this digital transformation, Home Affairs is positioning itself at the forefront of secure and efficient identity verification, ensuring faster service delivery and enhanced security for South African citizens and businesses alike.
