Leon Schreiber says the partnership between the Department of Home Affairs and several banks has significantly expanded access to Smart ID services across South Africa.
According to the minister, 34 new bank branches are now offering Smart ID services nationwide, surpassing the department’s initial target of 17 branches scheduled to go live by Friday, 13 March 2026.
Schreiber said the expansion means the department exceeded its target by 100 percent, with new service points now operating in all nine provinces.
Capitec Driving Expansion
Much of the growth has been driven by Capitec Bank, which rapidly expanded its rollout of Smart ID services.
The bank initially launched self service Smart ID applications at seven branches on Monday, 9 March, with plans to add six more later in the week. However, the rollout quickly accelerated, with the service now available at 30 Capitec branches nationwide.
According to the bank, customers can complete a Smart ID application in less than five minutes using self service terminals.
The expansion is also significant for residents in the Free State and North West provinces, where Smart ID services have now become available at bank branches for the first time. Previously, residents often had to visit Home Affairs offices or travel to other provinces to access bank assisted services.
Standard Bank Joins Rollout
Standard Bank has also joined the expansion, opening two additional branches offering Smart ID services and planning to launch two more during the week.
Together, the banks added 34 new Smart ID service points between 9 March and 13 March 2026.
New Digital Partnership Model
The rapid rollout follows the introduction of a new digital partnership model between Home Affairs and banks, launched in August 2025.
Under the previous system introduced in 2016, Home Affairs had to place its own staff and equipment inside bank branches, which slowed the expansion of services.
The new model allows banks to connect directly to Home Affairs systems, enabling faster implementation and broader national coverage.
With the addition of the latest branches, the number of bank locations offering Smart ID services has now more than doubled, significantly improving access for citizens across the country.
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