Home Affairs to Resume Suspended Services in South Africa

South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs will, from Thursday, once again offer several services that were temporarily suspended in January 2021, Home Affairs Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, has announced.

In an address to the media today, Dr Motsoaledi said this was made possible by the country moving to Lockdown Level 1.

The citizenship service, however, will remain temporarily unavailable.

“Online services, through eHome Affairs and our partner banks, will be resumed on Monday, 8 March 2021,” said the Minister.

During Adjusted Lockdown Level 3, the department only offered services for birth registration; re-issuance of birth certificates; late registration of birth (LRB) for learners and pensioners only; death registration; application for temporary identity certificate (TIC), and collection of identity cards or documents.

Applications and collection of passports for those who are exempted to travel, and applications for identity (Smart ID) cards or documents for matriculants only, were also offered during this period.

In addition to these, the department will from Thursday offer:

• the re-issue of Smart ID Cards and identity documents;
• registration and solemnization of marriages;
• amendments and rectifications;
• late registration of birth (LRB) for all categories, and
• the application for and collection of passports for all categories.

Motsoaledi used the opportunity to urge for vigilance against the spread of COVID-19.

Motsoeledi asked everyone to observe social distancing and other safety measures (hand sanitisers, masks) when visiting the Home Affair offices. “We need to remain vigilant in our fight against its spread. We do not want our offices to be super-spreader sites,” he said.

Motsoaledi emphasised that nobody will be allowed into Home Affairs offices without a face mask. – SAnews.gov.za