The Department of Home Affairs has undertaken a comprehensive upgrade of its digital verification system.
To curb the lag times that often hamper its digital verification system, the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) is rolling out a “comprehensive” system upgrade.
“The upgrade is also of immense importance to supporting private sector economic growth. When this vital home affairs system is down, slow, or littered with errors, it negatively impacts upon the ability of banks, insurance companies and other financial service providers to verify clients and conduct business.”
The home affairs department is the custodian of identity, civil status and migration of citizens.

Its digital verification system, it says, enables government departments, ranging from National Treasury, to the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), as well as businesses in the financial sector, to verify the identities of clients using biometric features like fingerprints and facial recognition against the national population register.
For example, banks use it to verify the authenticity of a person’s ID with the register at home affairs.

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Joissa Catarina Rodriguez Zunguze, a Mozambican national, has been sentenced by Westonaria magistrates court to two years' direct imprisonment for fraud, three years for the possession of fraudulent documents and 40 days’ direct imprisonment for contravention of Section 49 of the Immigration Act.
The sentences will run consecutively.

National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Lt-Colonel Lloyd Ramovha said upon the completion of her sentences, Zunguze would be deported back to Mozambique.
She was found guilty of being in the illegal possession of 19 tampered South African birth certificates and sentenced on 27 March 2025.
Lt-Colonel Ramovha says Zunguze, who also operated under the alias "Thuli Mthembu," was arrested on 18 September 2024 during an intelligence-driven operation conducted by Westonaria Police in collaboration with the Randfontein Department of Home Affairs.
“She initially introduced herself as Thuli Mthembu and claimed to be a South African citizen,” Ramovha said in a statement.
“Nineteen fraudulent birth certificates were seized during her arrest.”

He said authorities suspected that Zunguze was part of a syndicate involving Department of Home Affairs officials.
“On 11 March 2025, Zunguze appeared in court and pleaded guilty to charges of fraud, contravention of Section 49 of the Immigration Act, and possession of fraudulent documents. Her guilty plea was accepted, and she was convicted on all charges.

“The fraudulent documents in her possession will be destroyed by the State, and the fraudulent South African ID registered under the alias ‘Thuli Mthembu’ will be canceled,” Ramovha said.
The Gauteng Hawks Provincial Head Major General Ebrahim Kadwa said: “This conviction and sentencing underscore the resolute determination of law enforcement to protect the integrity of South Africa’s public institutions and root out corruption. Let this serve as a stern warning to those attempting to exploit our systems.”

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Home Affairs has upgraded its identity verification system which aims to streamline and speed up processes.
The Department of Home Affairs announced on Monday that it is rolling out a comprehensive upgrade to their digital verification system that sits at the heart of national security as well as both public and private sector services in South Africa.
"This verification system that enables government departments ranging from National Treasury to the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), as well as businesses in the financial sector, to verify the identities of clients using biometric features like fingerprints and facial recognition against the national population register," the department said.

The department confirmed that the use of this system will come at an extra cost to companies in the private sector and will come into effect on April 1. However public sector users, including government departments and agencies, will remain exempt from these new fees.
The Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber, emphasised the importance of this upgrade, stating, “The rollout of a reliable, efficient, and secure verification service supports both the public and private sectors to improve service delivery. This marks the most significant upgrade to the Home Affairs verification service since it was launched, and will dramatically reduce waiting times whenever a client needs to verify their identity with the Department to obtain a social grant or open a bank account.”
Schreiber said: "The launch of the reformed verification system is further proof of the progress that Home Affairs is making on our journey of digital transformation to deliver dignity for all.”

Schreiber acknowledged the delays and failures of his department and further said: "This investment in our population register is not only overdue but also important for delivering on the vision for digital ID, as outlined by President Cyril Ramaphosa during the State of the Nation Address, as a secure and efficient population register forms the cornerstone of digital ID.”
The department said they have made serious efforts in ensuring that this system is less erratic, with tests showing that it is capable of dramatically faster performance and delivers an error rate of well below 1%.
The system previously left users frustrated when it used to take up to 24 hours to give responses which were most of the times erratic and required a long process of manual verification. The system often produced errors, with a failure rate of up to 50% - rendering it ineffective and past its sell-by-date.

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Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber said they want to eliminate green ID books in South Africa and make it easy for people to move to more secure smart IDs.
In January 2025, Schreiber said the Department of Home Affairs wants to stop issuing green barcoded ID books in 2025.
In the future, they want to issue only Smart ID cards, an internal target they are working towards to ensure they create a more secure system.
Last year, Schreiber warned that South Africans using green ID books face a significant security risk due to their inherent weaknesses.
Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Njabulo Nzuza explained that green ID books were behind most identity theft in South Africa.

Often, stolen identities are used to access credit, loans, or apply for higher education, creating significant headaches for the rightful holder of the ID.
“With the Smart ID, it is very difficult to duplicate someone’s ID. That is why we are migrating everyone to a Smart ID card and phasing out the green ID books,” Nzuza said.

The card’s biometric features ensure that the person presenting the ID is the rightful owner, significantly reducing the risk of identity fraud.
This also enables it to be incorporated into digital verification systems and, in some cases, eliminate the need for in-person validation.
Linking biometric data with SIM cards is also being explored. This can prevent fraudulent SIM card activations and ensure only the rightful owners can use the SIM card.

Considering the security benefits of Smart IDs, it is understandable that the Department of Home Affairs wants to do away with green ID books.
Schreiber explained that after they stop issuing green ID books, they will consider targets to eliminate them and replace them with Smart ID cards.
He told News24 that the green ID book is insecure and a risk to South Africa and that they urgently want to get rid of it. However, it is not simple.
“We still have about 18 million people to reach. Our aim was 2.5 million people this year, but we are on track for 3.6 million,” he told the publication.
He said that people who still use green ID books have no reason to panic as they will remain valid for this year and beyond.
This means that green ID books remain a valid form of identification. However, users are warned that they pose significant security threats.

Collaborating with banks
The Department of Home Affairs launched its eHomeAffairs system on 7 April 2016 to facilitate easier access to government services online.
eHomeAffairs enabled South African citizens to apply and get their smart ID card or passport at a bank branch rather than a Home Affairs office.
This initiative formed part of the department’s aim to replace about 34 million green-barcoded ID books with the Smart ID Card.
It was initially available at Absa, FNB, Nedbank and Standard Bank at 12 branches in Gauteng and one in Cape Town.

Investec and Discovery Bank joined the eHomeAffairs project, and the service is now available at 30 branches in many large South African cities.
Speaking to News24, Schreiber said they want to hugely expand their collaboration with banks to make it easier for people to get their smart IDs.
He explained that they want to expand the current network of 30 bank branches to over 1,000 across South Africa.

Another focus for his department is going digital, including launching a secure digital ID on people’s smartphones.
“It will be a verifiable credential with a unique key, allowing you to verify and sign things digitally,” he told News24.
He explained that having an official in the corner of a bank with a computer, fingerprint scanner, and camera does not make sense.
Instead, he wants to integrate with the bank’s technology, creating the same trust in Home Affairs as with banks.

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The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) in South Africa is cracking down on visa fraud by revoking more than 100 study visas believed to have been obtained through dishonest means. SIU head Andy Mothibi made the announcement on Tuesday, shedding light on a year-long investigation aimed at cleaning up corruption in the country’s immigration system.

A Deep Dive into the Visa Fraud Probe
The SIU, a government body responsible for tackling corruption and wrongdoing in state institutions, kicked off its investigation into visa irregularities last year. The probe targets a range of visa types, including permanent residence permits, business visas, work visas, and study visas. Speaking at the launch of the Border Management and Immigration Anti-Corruption Forum in Pretoria, Mothibi revealed that “we have referred about 110 study visas to be revoked, which were obtained on the strength of fraudulent supporting documents.”

These fraudulent documents could include fake acceptance letters from schools, doctored financial statements, or other forged paperwork. Mothibi stressed that the SIU is following a strict legal process to ensure the visas are officially cancelled, adding, “At an appropriate time, we will indicate to the public the outcomes of that investigation.”

Why This Matters to South Africans
Visa fraud isn’t just a legal headache—it affects real people and the country’s reputation. Students with fake visas might take spots meant for genuine applicants, while corruption at borders undermines trust in the system. The SIU’s move to revoke these 110 study visas shows a commitment to fairness and accountability, protecting South Africa’s borders and its educational institutions.
The human cost is significant too. Those holding these fraudulent visas could face deportation, disrupting their lives and plans. For many, this might mean leaving behind studies, friends, and dreams of building a future in South Africa.

A Legal Process in Motion
Revoking a visa isn’t a simple decision—it involves careful steps. The SIU gathers evidence, like the fraudulent documents in this case, and presents it to the Department of Home Affairs or a court. Once approved, the visa holders are notified, and they may have a chance to appeal. If they lose, they’ll need to leave the country or face legal consequences.
This thorough approach ensures the process is fair but firm, balancing the rights of individuals with the need to uphold the law.

Fighting Corruption at the Borders
Mothibi’s announcement came during the launch of the Border Management and Immigration Anti-Corruption Forum in Pretoria. This new initiative brings together government officials, law enforcement, and other role-players to tackle corruption at South Africa’s ports of entry—like airports, harbours, and land borders. The forum is a big step towards stopping shady visa deals and ensuring that only legitimate travellers enter the country.
Corruption at these entry points has long been a thorn in South Africa’s side. Bribes, fake papers, and insider help have allowed some to bypass the rules, putting pressure on an already strained immigration system.

The Bigger Picture: South Africa’s Immigration Challenges
South Africa attracts thousands of students and workers every year, drawn by its universities, job opportunities, and vibrant culture. But managing this influx comes with hurdles. The immigration system has battled backlogs, understaffing, and corruption for years. Fraudulent visas add another layer of complexity, threatening national security and the integrity of legal migration.
The SIU’s actions are part of a wider push to fix these problems. By targeting fraudulent study visas, the unit is sending a clear message: South Africa won’t tolerate cheats who exploit the system.

What’s Next for the Investigation?
The SIU isn’t done yet. Mothibi promised more updates as the probe unfolds, hinting that other visa types—like work or business permits—might also face scrutiny. The investigation could uncover deeper networks of corruption, possibly involving officials or agents who help produce fake documents for a fee.
For now, the focus is on these 110 study visas, but the ripple effects could lead to tougher rules, better checks, and stronger partnerships with schools to verify applicants. The public, universities, and immigration experts will be watching closely to see how this plays out.

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