Naledi Pandor (CC image courtesy of GovernmentZA on Flickr)
Facilities at South Africa’s Government Printing Works are ready to roll out the first smart ID cards ahead of the July 18 launch, according to home affairs minister Naledi Pandor.
Pandor and deputy president Kgalema Motlanthe today inspected the machines that will be used to print the ID cards.
HumanIPO reported yesterday South African president Jacob Zuma had urged citizens to embrace the new smart card IDs, saying the model will transform security systems in the country.
The new smart ID cards will be released on Nelson Mandela’s birthday in an attempt to curb fraud and increase confidence in the country, with the first batch to be issued to prominent citizens, including Desmond Tutu and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.
“We are very excited that the Deputy President has visited our facilities today and we are excited that on 18 July, he will be among the first recipients of the smart cards,” Pandor told reporters after the tour.
“We may be certain that we have the best facilities… we believe we have excellent material with high security features and anyone who thinks they can defraud the cards will have to really tamper with them.”
Ronnie Mamoepa, spokesperson for the Home Affairs Department, said three regional offices will be prepared in the interim and increased to 27 by the end of August, when members of the public will be expected to apply for the new ID cards.
First-time applicants will receive their cards for free, while those replacing their current green ID books will pay ZAR140 (US$14).
