Smart way to get ID

If you want to apply for the new smart identity card, head to your nearest bank.

Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba yesterday announced that major banks would be facilitating the application and collection of smart IDs.

Gigaba said the deal was part of the Department of Home Affairs' plans to make the ID cards accessible to all citizens.

Gigaba said FNB and Standard Bank had signed a memorandum of understanding to start piloting the project from April.

Talks with Nedbank are at an advanced stage.

Absa is the only bank that has not yet made a commitment on the cards.

The department will set up kiosks in banks that will accept applications for and issue the cards.

The kiosks will take applicants' biometric photograph, automated fingerprints and electronic signature. These will be "compiled into an electronic package and deposited at home affairs", the minister said.

"They will be able to do their payments at the bank for the smart card. It will then be deposited at the government printing works. The applicant will be able to collect the smart ID card at the bank where they applied."

There are plans to open similar kiosks at post offices.

The issuing of smart ID cards has not been smooth so far. A number of citizens have complained about being turned back from home affairs offices as officials claim the network used to capture the data is always down.

Gigaba acknowledged the problem, saying the department was working with a service provider to correct it.

He responded to concerns that new immigration laws were harming tourism.

The minister ruled out relaxing the new stringent immigrant regulations, saying the security of the country was paramount.

"In the instance that there are new facts, very compelling, that come up, we will review them.

"But there is one thing we won't do. We won't relax the requirements for any person coming to South Africa to apply in person. They have to apply in person," Gigaba said.

He reiterated his stance on the UK visa debacle, saying South Africa wanted complete visa exemption for all SA citizens travelling to that country.

"What the UK announced last year is that it is relaxing requirements for a transit visa for those travelling to the US or Australia. We said, 'Sorry, but we are not excited because what we want is a complete visa exemption for all South Africans travelling to the UK," the minister said.