Naturalised and permanent SA residents now able to obtain smart IDs

CAPE TOWN - From Monday, about 1.4 million naturalised South African citizens and permanent residents will be able to obtain smart identity documents (IDs). 
 
For years, information technology (IT) failures forced South Africans born abroad, as well as permanent residents, to continue using only the green bar-coded ID book.
 
It also prevented them from using the eHomeAffairs platform to make bookings. 
 
In rare cases, a small number of naturalised citizens were able to obtain smart IDs only after being granted permission by the minister and following a tedious manual process.
 
Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber said for the first time on Monday, the department had made it possible for over one million eligible South Africans and lawful permanent residents to apply for smart IDs.
 
"Following months of diligent information technology reforms, this step marks the single most significant milestone yet on Home Affairs' exciting journey of digital transformation, with much more still to come. This is the fruits of our focus on digital transformation."