South Africa Steps Up Plan to Replace Green ID Books

According to Schreiber, the traditional green ID book is highly susceptible to manipulation because it relies on a physical photograph that can be removed, altered or replaced.

South Africa is accelerating efforts to replace its ageing green barcoded identity books with more secure smart ID cards as part of a wider strategy to combat identity fraud and strengthen the country's population registration system. Speaking during an Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration media briefing on Sunday, Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber said the green ID book remains one of the most vulnerable identity documents in circulation and continues to be exploited by criminal networks.

Green ID Books Remain a Major Security Concern

According to Schreiber, the traditional green ID book is highly susceptible to manipulation because it relies on a physical photograph that can be removed, altered or replaced. Lost or stolen documents can also be used for fraudulent purposes with relative ease. The Minister warned that advances in artificial intelligence are creating additional risks, allowing sophisticated criminal syndicates to manipulate identity documents more effectively. He said illegal activities involving fraudulent identities have become an increasing concern for authorities.

Despite the rollout of smart ID cards over recent years, around 16 million green ID books are still being used across South Africa. Replacing those documents remains one of the Department of Home Affairs' key priorities.

Smart ID Expansion Through Banking Network

To speed up the transition, the department has expanded its partnership with commercial banks, allowing citizens to apply for smart ID cards at participating bank branches. Schreiber said the service is currently available at more than 178 branches across the country, including locations in rural areas where access to Home Affairs services has traditionally been limited.

The department plans to expand the programme significantly, with a target of making smart ID services available at 750 bank branches by the end of the year. Officials believe the wider network will make it easier for citizens to replace older documents and access secure digital identity services closer to where they live.

New Population Register to Strengthen Identity System

The replacement of green ID books forms part of a broader modernisation programme announced by the government last week. Authorities plan to establish an Intelligent Population Register containing biometric information for every person in South Africa.

The initiative is intended to improve identity verification, strengthen migration management and reduce opportunities for fraud and identity theft. New regulations are also being introduced to prevent the misuse of Traffic Registration Numbers (TRNs), which have been linked to various forms of abuse within the registration system.

President Cyril Ramaphosa recently highlighted concerns that green ID books have been exploited by undocumented immigrants and criminal syndicates to facilitate identity fraud. The gradual phase-out of the documents is expected to improve security, protect citizens' identities and support a more reliable digital population management system.

Government officials say the transition to smart IDs represents a major step towards a safer and more technologically advanced identity framework for South Africa.