The Department of Home Affairs has urged South Africans to collect their Smart ID cards as the backlog of uncollected cards grows. Over 100 000 cards are sitting uncollected at offices in KwaZulu Natal alone. Another 89 000 cards are waiting in a separate province, mostly Gauteng. Many of the cards have been ready for months.
Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber issued the call on Friday. He said many young South Africans applied for Smart ID cards in the last two years and never came back to collect them. He warned that the cards may be needed before the next national elections.
The Smart ID card replaces the older green ID book. It comes with a chip and biometric features that make it harder to copy. Government wants every South African to switch to the Smart ID before the end of 2027.
Here is a quick breakdown of the uncollected card numbers and where they sit:
- KwaZulu Natal – over 100 000 uncollected Smart IDs
- Gauteng – around 89 000 uncollected cards
- Western Cape – around 35 000 cards waiting
- Eastern Cape – around 28 000 cards waiting
- Free State – around 15 000 cards waiting
- Mpumalanga, Limpopo, North West, Northern Cape combined – around 40 000 cards
The department has asked all applicants to bring proof of identity when they go to collect. People can take their old green ID book, their birth certificate or their previous passport. The card holder must collect in person and give a fingerprint at the office.
Schreiber said the IEC needs every voter to have a valid ID before the next election. The Smart ID card is the easiest way to confirm identity at the voting station. Voters who do not have a Smart ID can still use the green book but the green book is being phased out by 2027.
Home Affairs has extended office hours on Saturday for the next two weeks. The department has also opened pop up service points at major shopping centres in Johannesburg, Pretoria and Durban. Some Postbank kiosks inside Boxer stores have also been added to the collection points.
The department has put steps in place for people in rural areas. Mobile Home Affairs vans will visit far away towns once a week. The schedule is shared on the official Home Affairs Facebook page each Monday. Local councillors and ward offices will also help with notice.
Banks have also been roped in. Standard Bank, FNB, Absa and Nedbank now offer Smart ID applications at selected branches. The bank does not deliver the card on the same day but the application can be lodged there. The card is then ready for pickup at a Home Affairs office.
Civil society groups have welcomed the push but warned that some offices are still too far for many residents. Black Sash and the Democracy Works Foundation have asked for more mobile units. They also asked Home Affairs to publish a clear list of every uncollected card holder by SMS.
Home Affairs has set the next big update for August 2026. By then the department wants the uncollected card number to drop below 100 000 across the country. Applicants can also check the status of their card through the BranchApp on a smartphone or the official Home Affairs website at dha.gov.za.
Sara Blake is Mzansi Online’s lead correspondent for breaking news and national affairs. She covers South African politics, parliament, crime and safety, social justice and community issues across all nine provinces. From ANC policy debates to service delivery protests, Sara reports with clarity and purpose, ensuring readers are informed about the decisions that shape their lives. She is committed to accurate, fair and people-first journalism in line with South Africa’s democratic values.