The Department of Home Affairs has officially partnered with Capitec Bank and First National Bank FNB to offer smart ID and passport services through a growing network of bank branches and digital banking applications, Cape town Etc reports.
This transformative initiative, announced by Minister of Home Affairs Dr Leon Schreiber, marks a significant digital shift designed to improve access to essential government services for all South Africans.
Previously, the provision of smart ID and passport services was limited to only 30 branches across five banks. The old model, reliant on the continual presence of Home Affairs staff and expensive hardware installations within bank locations, proved inadequate for the demands of urban and rural populations alike.
Schreiber noted that this strategy failed to leverage advancements in technology, which could enhance service availability and reach.
This collaboration dates back more than a decade. However, the original model relied on costly duplication of Home Affairs resources. By moving to this new digital-first approach, we can vastly expand our service delivery into urban areas and rural communities where bank branches already exist, Schreiber stated.