South Africans will soon be able to apply for their Smart IDs and passports at banks around the country.
Home Affairs Minister, Malusi Gigaba said implementation project was being piloted until the end of November and, based on the results, a national roll-out would commence at certain FNB, Standard Bank and Nedbank branches. Over 1 800 Smart ID cards have been issued to FNB and Standard Bank employees as part of the pilot process so far.
Home Affairs spokesperson, Mayihlome Tshwete, said that the pilot phase was testing systems in Standard Bank, FNB and Nedbank. “These banks are extending these services, which involve applications and collections of Smart ID cards and SA passports for their employees.”
Nedbank is in the process of finalising installation of systems at its offices in Sandton and will commence with the testing phase in the middle of this month. “Nedbank can confirm that the pilot roll-out will commence by November 1 at its Sandton head campus,” says Brian Duguid, managing executive of Nedbank Integrated Channels.
Meanwhile, Mayihlome said consultations with Absa were at an advanced stage and an announcement would be made soon.
The new service is currently on an ‘invite to apply’ basis only, and each bank involved will exclusively supply the service to its own employees.
Source: etnw
