NATIONAL NEWS - Rumours that the green bar-coded identification document (ID) books will be discontinued next month have surfaced again on social media.
The rumours have left many in a panic to get to their nearest Home Affairs office to apply for the new smart card ID.
Locals will welcome the news that the rumours were a hoax and this was verified by Home Affairs Director General Mkuseli Apleni.
The false claims first started circulating late last year.
More refreshing news regarding identification is that 14 bank branches have come on board to help extend coverage of the remaining 31 million South Africans who still need to attain a smart ID card.
When the smart ID cards were being rolled out in July 2013, Home Affairs data showed that 38 million people were in possession of the green-bar coded ID books.
Between 2013 and 2017, they were able to issue seven million smart cards. Absa, FNB, Nedbank and Standard Bank, any of these participating banks can now assist locals in receiving their smart ID cards.
