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Notice 728 of 2013

Department of Home Affairs

Notice regarding the replacement of green, bar-coded identity documents with identity cards

[Section 25 of the Identification Act, 1997 (Act No. 68 of 1997)]

I, Grace Naledi Mandisa Pandor, Minister of Home Affairs, acting in terms of section 25 of the Identification Act, 1997 (Act No. 68 of 1997) ("the Identification Act, 1997"), hereby issue the following notice:

The Department of Home Affairs ("the Department") shall, effective from 18 July 2013, issue identity cards in terms of section 14 of the Identification Act, 1997, replacing the green, bar-coded identity documents, to South African citizens and permanent residents who are currently in possession of validly issued South African green, bar-coded identity documents, and to the new applicants for identity cards, ("new applicants"), as well to the applicants for duplicate Identity Cards ("replacement/re-issue").

From the 18th July 2013, South African citizens and permanent residents who are currently in possession of the green, bar-coded identity documents, as well as the new applicants, shall be required to apply for the new identity cards in accordance with the roll-out programme referred to in the paragraph below.

The programme for the issue of identity cards is expected to be rolled-out by the Department over a period of 6 to 7 years, and will be implemented in the phases that will be communicated by the Department from time to time. The first phase of the roll-out programme is indicated in the paragraph below.

4.	First phase of roll-out

The first phase of the roll-out of issue of identity cards will commence on the 18th of July 2013, and shall include a pilot project, with the issue of identity cards to the identified categories of citizens, at selected offices of the Department and/or service points as determined.

The broader public will be advised by the Department, from time to time, regarding the submission of application for an identity card in accordance with the phases determined.

Fees

The current Identification Act, 1997 regulations regarding fees in respect of an application for a re-issue of a lost, stolen or damaged identity document shall apply in respect of an applicant whose identity document has been lost, stolen or damaged, and I shall, by regulation, prescribe the fees payable, if any, for the replacement of an identity document with an identity card, as well as any other fee in connection therewith.

6.	Validity of green, bar-coded identity documents

Upon issue of the new identity card to an applicant, the green, bar-coded identity document, if the applicant had previously been issued with one, shall become invalid from the time of issue of the identity card, and the applicant must upon issue of the identity card issued to him or her, surrender to the Department, the green, bar-coded identity document for cancellation.

A green, bar-coded identity document validly issued to any person in terms of the Identification Act, 1997, and which has not been cancelled by the Department, and where the applicant or the person in possession thereof has not been issued with an identity card, as contemplated in this notice, shall, during the roll-out of the programme for the issue of identity cards, remain valid until a date that will be fixed by notice in the Gazette regarding the validity of green, bar-coded identity documents.

Once the programme for the issue of identity cards has been rolled out by the Department, and at least within 3 (three) years from the effective date of this notice, or soon thereafter, I shall, in terms of section 25(4) of the Identification Act, 1997, by notice in the Gazette, fix a date regarding the invalidity of the green, bar-coded identity documents, and upon such date, all green, bar-coded identity documents shall cease to be valid.

7. PROCESS

7.1	Registration for application for an identity card

During the roll-out phases of the programme, applicants shall be required to register for application for an identity card, at a nearest Home Affairs local office, service point, or mission abroad, as the case may be.

The registration for application for an identity card shall be made by the applicant, in the prescribed form, and contain the information as set out in this notice below.

Once an applicant has registered for application for an identity card, his or her details shall be recorded by the department, in the prescribed manner, and such details shall be verified against the population register and his or her application shall be processed by the Department, as prescribed.

7.2	Processing of an application in person by the applicant

After registration for an application for an Identity Card, the applicant shall be requested by the Department to appear, in person, at an identified Home Affairs local office, service point, or mission abroad, as the case may be, for further processing and finalisation of his or her application.

7.3	Further instructions by the Department of Home Affairs

Despite the process above-mentioned or in addition to the said process, the Department may, where it deems necessary, advise and issue instructions to applicants regarding any information for submission of an application for an identity card.

7.4	Issuing of identity card

The Department shall issue an identity card to an applicant whose application for an identity card has to be registered and processed by the Department in the prescribed manner.

7.5	Documents and information

When appearing in person at a Home Affairs local office, service point, or mission abroad, as the case may be, for processing and finalisation of an application for identity card, an applicant shall be required to—

(a)	submit his or her green, bar-coded identity document for cancellation, providing that his or her identity document shall not be surrendered to the Department until he or she is handed an identity card; or

(b)	present his or her birth certificate issued in terms of the Births and Deaths Registration Act, 1992 (Act No. 51 of 1992) (for first time applicants); and/or

(c)	submit any information as prescribed;

(d)	confirm the correctness of his or her particulars in accordance with section 11(2) and 12 and of the Identification Act, 1997;

(e)	have his or her photograph taken in the prescribed manner; and

(f)	have his or her fingerprints taken in the prescribed manner.

7.6	Registration information

The applicant shall provide the following information in the form for registration for an application for an identity card:

(a)	his or her full names and surname;

(b)	his or her identity number;

(c)	full physical and/or postal address; and

(d)	at least one contact number of applicant.

ENQUIRIES

All enquiries regarding this notice should be directed to the following contact details:

Attention: Seipati Mashile

(a)	Tel: 0800 601 190

(b)	Fax: (011) 461 9356/7/8/9

(c)	e-mail: [email protected]

GNM Pandor (MP)

Minister of Home Affairs

Date: 28-6-2013