ABSA is first bank to supports Smart ID applications

ABSA is the latest bank to set up Smart ID and passport application services in conjunction with Home Affairs.

According to a report by Htxt, Minister of Home Affairs Malusi Gigaba made the announcement on 25 February.

The system was originally set to be trialled with Standard Bank and FNB in November, but Home Affairs said at the time it was still finalising “modalities” with the banks.

Nedbank also signed a memorandum of understanding with Home Affairs for the project.

“Each of the banks have three operational centres, making it 12 sites in total where the process is being piloted,” stated the report.

According to News24, the minister said Home Affairs was still sitting with around 200,000 uncollected smart ID cards at its headquarters.

Home Affairs will not destroy any uncollected IDs until after the local government elections, said Gigaba.