The Department of Home has embarked on the next phase of upgrading its Live Capture System, to build on the work done to enhance processes for Smart ID card and passport applications.

Between Monday, 7 March 2016 and Wednesday 9 March 2016, Smart ID Card and passport services will not be available. Full services should resume on 10 March 2016, after testing of enhancements has been completed.

The upgrade will affect only the 142 Home Affairs Offices that use the Live Capture system – those with the capacity to issue the new Smart ID Card, as they will be unable during the current enhancements to receive applications for Smart ID Cards.

All other Home Affairs services will be available at offices across the country, including services like issuing of birth, death and marriage certificates.

Changes include:

• Updating software to make it compatible with the new changes being made in improving the collection side of both the Smart ID Cards and passports, and
• Introducing new developments to the system that will make it easy for the clients to access Home Affairs services, for example applying for services online.

The Department apologizes for the inconvenience caused. It believes the upgrades will further improve quality of services to the citizens while contributing to modernising systems and making the Department fully digital.

For media enquiries kindly contact Mayihlome Tshwete or Thabo Mokgola on 060 962 4982.

Issued by the Department of Home Affairs