Johannesburg – The Department of Home Affairs has announced that the new Digital Partnership Model has gone live, and South Africans can now apply for Smart ID at branches operated by Capitec Bank and Standard Bank, which are now live.
The department said the new Digital Partnership Model with South Africa’s banking sector entered its live operational phase on Monday, 9 March 2026.
“Today marks the launch of one of the most significant reforms in the history of the Department of Home Affairs,
The Minister of Home Affairs, Dr. Leon Schreiber, said: “Today signifies by far the biggest milestone to date on our reform drive to deliver Home Affairs @ home.
“By embracing digital transformation, we are redefining what public service delivery looks like in the modern age.
“The fact that we have already reached this milestone after just 20 months in office means that we are on track to deliver on our goal to invert the principle of how government services work.
“Instead of forcing people to go to Home Affairs to endure long queues and manual processes, we are using technological security and efficiency to bring Home Affairs to the people, delivering access, inclusion, and dignity for all.”
For the first time under this new model, South Africans can now visit one of nine branches of participating banks to apply for Smart IDs, beginning with branches operated by Capitec Bank and Standard Bank, which are now live.
The number of live branches will grow to 17 by the end of the week.
First National Bank is currently in the final phase of testing, and other banks that joined the Digital Partnership last year are at varying stages of development.
South Africans who wish to replace their green ID book with a Smart ID, or to obtain a re-issue of their existing Smart ID can, as of today, visit the following bank branches that are launching today and later this week:
Capitec
• Orange Farm, Eyethu Mall (Live)
• Howick (Live)
• Swellendam (Live)
• Sandton City (Live)
• Kathu Village Mall (Live)
• Matoks (Live)
• Hermanus (Live)
• Jeffreys Bay, Fountains Mall (Friday)
• Pietermaritzburg (Friday, 13 March)
• Tygervalley (Friday, 13 March)
• Stellenbosch (Friday, 13 March)
• Vredenburg (Friday, 13 March)
• Cape Town V&A (Friday, 13 March) Standard Bank
• Soweto, Maponya Mall (Live)
• Rosebank (Live)
• Westgate Mall (Thursday, 12 March)
• Parow (Thursday, 12 March)
Additional branches will continuously be added to the list.
Inside the 17 branches launching this week, clients can complete a Smart ID application in just five to 10 minutes, without having to make a booking ahead of their visit.
This same service will be extended to every corner of South Africa over the coming year, as more bank branches are enrolled.
The rollout will take place in phases to ensure system stability and operational readiness.
The department said the first phase, which went live today, focuses on enabling:
• South African citizens, including qualifying naturalised citizens as well as permanent residents who still hold the green ID book, to convert to the Smart ID Card; and
• Re-issues for existing Smart ID holders.
“Approximately 16 million South Africans still rely on the green ID book, which is widely recognised as one of the most defrauded documents on the African continent,” the department said.
“Accelerating the transition to the Smart ID is therefore critical to strengthening the country’s identity system and protecting citizens from identity fraud.”
Durban – Two suspects who were wanted in connection with several cases of murder and attempted murder were shot and fatally wounded in a shootout with police at the Mzomusha area, Newtown C Section in Inanda, KwaZulu-Natal.
Colonel Robert Netshiunda said the deadly shootout occurred in the morning on Monday, 9 March 2026.
“Police were searching for at least five suspects, and during an operation which started just after midnight on Monday morning, two of the suspects were located at Mzomusha area with the assistance of a drone,” stated Colonel Netshiunda.
“When police approached the house in which the suspects were hiding, a shootout ensued, which resulted in the two suspects, aged 20 and 25 years old, sustaining fatal gunshot wounds.
“Two firearms were found in the possession of the suspects. A search for the remaining suspects is ongoing.”
To find your nearest participating bank branch, and to be informed as more branches are activated, simply visit www.dha.gov.za/banks.
