SAMNET urged the public to use extended Saturday hours at Home Affairs to apply for, collect and fix ID documents.

Archived notice. This campaign ran from April to 25 May 2024. Home Affairs Saturday hours and the booking system change from time to time — check dha.gov.za for what applies now.

Offices opened on Saturdays from 08:00 to 13:00 until 25 May 2024, excluding 27 April. Services included collecting IDs, new applications, temporary identity certificates, and resolving duplicates, amendments, rectifications and dead-alive cases.

A Branch Appointment Booking System (BABS) was introduced, letting people book a slot to collect smart ID cards and green barcoded ID books before visiting. Walk-ins remained possible. Mobile offices were also scheduled to return to remote areas to deliver IDs where applications had been taken.

Why It Mattered

This was a real opportunity for high school learners, employed people and the elderly to avoid the queues. An ID is the gateway to services — and to voting. We asked businesses, schools, places of prayer and community groups to pass the message on so that over-16s, youth and the elderly could get new IDs or replace lost ones.

SAMNET also called on youth and civic organisations to help people with the online application and booking process.

And a Call on Home Affairs

SAMNET called on the department to improve its efficiency, systems and processes — more Saturdays, and full 08:00 to 17:00 hours. The personal cost of poor service, and the billions lost to the economy when thousands travel, wait for hours and return repeatedly, is effort, time and money the country could spend far better.

Apply for your ID on the weekend — SAnews.gov.za.

Shared by the South African Muslim Network (SAMNET) in the interest of better access and public services.

Contact SAMNET
info@samnet.co.za
WhatsApp 084 333 3979
www.samnet.co.za