Millions of South Africans are still carrying what has long been called the most-forged document in Africa.

Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber says around 16 million people still rely on the old green SA ID book. By his account, fraud tied to the document’s weak security costs the country billions of rand every year.

Home Affairs says the green ID book has about two years left..

WHY FRAUDSTERS TARGET THE GREEN ID BOOK

The weakness is built into the document itself. The green ID book carries a physical photograph that is relatively easy to replace or manipulate.

The Smart ID card uses digital security features that make that kind of tampering far harder.

“Smart ID cards, with their digital security features, close the fraud gap significantly,” said Schreiber.

THE BOOK IS ALREADY HARDER TO REPLACE

The holders face a second problem. Schreiber says nearly a third of Home Affairs offices no longer have the ability to reprocess the old books.

Deputy Director-General for Operations Thulani Mavuso confirmed last week that the document will stop working in about two years, putting its end in 2028. Home Affairs has not yet named an exact cut-off date.

“We have to collect all those documents because in the next two years, the green SA ID book will no longer be functional,” said Mavuso.

His advice is not to wait until the deadline to apply.

HOW TO SWAP TO A SMART ID

Home Affairs has already issued around 34 million Smart ID cards, and more than 450 bank branches at ABSA, FNB, Nedbank and Standard Bank now process applications.

  • Register a profile on eHomeAffairs with your ID number, email address and South African cellphone number, then verify via OTP.
  • Complete the online form, select the upgrade from a green ID book, and upload a copy of it.
  • Book a biometric appointment at a Home Affairs office or participating bank branch via www.myhomeaffairsonline.dha.gov.za.
  • Bring your green ID book and booking confirmation. Fingerprints and photos take under 20 minutes.
  • Collect your card once you receive an SMS, usually within two to three weeks.

The upgrade costs R140, while pensioners over 60 and first-time applicants aged 16 and older pay nothing.