The department of home affairs has teamed up with Capitec and FNB to offer smart ID and passport services in a bid to improve access in rural areas where government offices are scarce.
According to the department, the partnership will enable citizens to access smart ID and passport services at hundreds more bank branches across the country, adding to the 30 already offering the service.
The expansion forms part of the government’s medium-term development plan, which aims to make the services available at 1,000 bank branches by 2029.
The partnership marks a shift from the previous model, which relied on home affairs staff and hardware being stationed at bank branches. Under the new system, services will be delivered through digital banking platforms and branch networks.
Home affairs minister Leon Schreiber, appointed in July 2024, has made digital transformation a cornerstone of his tenure. He outlined a five-year strategy to modernise ID and passport services, improve access and address persistent problems such as delays, fraud and corruption.
Central to the plan is using existing infrastructure, including banking networks and digital platforms, to expand service delivery and ease the burden on citizens.
Schreiber has pushed for a “digital-first” approach to reduce reliance on outdated, paper-based systems such as the green ID book, which is prone to fraud and identity theft.
The partnerships with Capitec and FNB form part of this wider drive to integrate technology, broaden reach and enhance security and convenience.
The minister is expected to visit Capitec and FNB branches to outline details of the rollout. The department said the initiative was intended to cut travel times for citizens and improve efficiency.
The department has urged other banks to join the programme to ensure nationwide coverage, though the pace of uptake across the sector remains uncertain.
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