Share

Smart ID: Who will pay and who won't

Johannesburg - Home Affairs Minister Naledi Pandor and Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan will decide whether to waive the fee for new smart ID cards, the home affairs department said on Thursday.

As Pandor indicated in Parliament, she is in discussion with National Treasury regarding fees for certain categories of persons that may be exempted, spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa said.

Pandor had the legal authority to waive fees for acquisition of enabling documents for some people, if she deemed it necessary.

"In this regard, we would await the outcome of discussions between Pandor and Gordhan on the matter, which will chart the way forward and give direction on the matter," he said.

R140 fee

Mamoepa was responding to a Democratic Alliance statement saying a R140 fee for the re-issuing of smart IDs would disadvantage the poor.

DA spokesperson Manny de Freitas said R140 was the difference between survival and starvation for many South Africans.

"Imposing a new ID system on South Africa’s citizens and then forcing them to pay for it puts a price on citizenship that not everyone can afford, and will exclude them from the employment market as well as electoral and social security processes once green barcoded ID books are phased out."

ID card for free

Mamoepa said at the moment 16-year-old first time applicants would receive the smart ID card for free, but others were expected to pay R140, the same price as a new green ID book.

"The process of rolling out the smart ID card will take a few years and thus government appeals to all to exercise patience.

"The public is advised to wait to be invited to apply in accordance with their dates of birth."

One of the first people to receive the new ID card was former president Nelson Mandela, who received his on his birthday, on July 18.

Should the smart ID card be free? Share your views.


We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Rand - Dollar
18.89
+0.2%
Rand - Pound
23.83
+0.3%
Rand - Euro
20.36
+0.3%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.31
+0.3%
Rand - Yen
0.12
+0.2%
Platinum
908.05
0.0%
Palladium
1,014.94
0.0%
Gold
2,232.75
-0.0%
Silver
24.95
-0.1%
Brent Crude
87.00
+1.8%
Top 40
68,346
0.0%
All Share
74,536
0.0%
Resource 10
57,251
0.0%
Industrial 25
103,936
0.0%
Financial 15
16,502
0.0%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Company Snapshot
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE
Government tenders

Find public sector tender opportunities in South Africa here.

Government tenders
This portal provides access to information on all tenders made by all public sector organisations in all spheres of government.
Browse tenders