PRETORIA — The South African Department of Home Affairs has launched a nationwide campaign to resolve the status of millions of identity documents (IDs) that were blocked prior to November 2022. Affected individuals have been issued a final deadline of July 10, 2026, to visit a Home Affairs office in person and provide representations to prevent the permanent cancellation of their identity numbers.

Why IDs Were Blocked

The Department of Home Affairs initiated these blocks under Section 19 of the Identification Act (Act No. 68 of 1997) to protect the integrity of the National Population Register. Many of the affected records were flagged due to:

  • Duplicates: Instances where one identity number was assigned to more than one person.

  • Verification Issues: Cases requiring further proof of legal status or citizenship.

  • Suspected Fraud: Records flagged for potential identity theft, fraudulent applications, or incorrect personal particulars.

According to Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber, this initiative is a critical step in modernizing the department’s systems, eliminating identity fraud, and phasing out the vulnerable "green ID book" in favor of the more secure Smart ID card system.

What Affected Individuals Must Do

The Department has made it clear that affected persons must act promptly. Failure to submit representations by the July 10 deadline may result in the Department proceeding with the cancellation of the identity number without further notice.

  • In-Person Requirement: Affected individuals must visit any Home Affairs front office in person. (Note: Refugee reception centres and bank branches are not participating in this specific verification campaign).

  • Provide Representations: Individuals are required to provide both written and oral explanations as to why their ID should be unblocked and why it correctly represents their identity.

  • Supporting Documentation: Applicants should bring original or certified copies of any documents that can assist in verifying their status, such as:

    • Original birth certificates or handwritten birth records.

    • Clinic cards or proof of birth from hospitals.

    • Parents' ID documents or death certificates.

    • School registers or extracts.

    • Any other evidence confirming their legal status or citizenship.

Digital Transformation and the End of the Green ID Book

This campaign aligns with broader government reforms to move away from paper-based, easily defrauded identity documents. President Cyril Ramaphosa recently reiterated that the government intends to phase out the green ID book entirely, replacing it with a digital-first, biometric Smart ID system to clamp down on illegal immigration and document fraud.

The Department of Home Affairs has successfully unblocked over 2.2 million identity numbers to date and urges all remaining affected individuals to use this window to regularize their status and secure their legal identity.