The Department of Home Affairs has announced a major upgrade to its digital verification system which promises a faster performance with less errors. This vital system empowers government agencies, including the National Treasury and the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), as well as financial institutions, by verifying client identities using biometric data such as fingerprints and facial recognition.
Previously, users faced frustrations due to a staggering 50% failure rate in verification attempts, with response times stretching up to 24 hours. Many reports indicated that even when responses were received, they were often inaccurate, forcing users to engage in cumbersome manual verification processes.
However, following extensive efforts, the upgraded system promises to change the narrative. Testing reveals that the new platform will deliver results far more rapidly and with an error rate of less than 1%, ensuring a smoother experience for users in both public and private sectors.
As part of this enhancement, the Minister of Home Affairs, Dr. Leon Schreiber, has introduced a new fee structure for private sector use of the verification service, marking the first increase in over a decade. This adjustment, effective April 1, 2025, aims to fund the ongoing maintenance of the National Population Register, a crucial component of national security and economic stability. Importantly, public sector users will remain exempt from these fees, reaffirming the government’s commitment to supporting public service.
Minister Schreiber emphasized the broader implications of the upgrade, stating, “This investment is crucial for delivering a secure and efficient population register, which is the cornerstone of digital ID.” With this upgrade, Home Affairs continues its journey toward digital transformation, ensuring a dignified and accessible service for all South Africans.
