CAPE TOWN - The Home Affairs department is launching an upgraded National Population Register verification system.
It’s going to cost users a lot more, but it’ll be more reliable, faster and safer.
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The department says the previous low cost for accessing the service has led to abuse and profiteering by some users.
The result was the notorious ‘system offline’ failures at Home Affairs offices.
According to Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber, such leaves users highly frustrated while also holding back financial inclusion.
"It also is an issue of national security, this is the system which is at the foundation of the state. If the police need to verify something against home affairs, we cannot have a situation where the system is offline for more than 50% of the time," he said.
Schreiber has advised people to come to Home Affairs rather than paying a third party to use their improved and reliable systems.