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The Department of Home Affairs has reached another historic milestone on its path-breaking journey of digital transformation, with 203 bank branches now live in the new digital partnership model with the banking sector.

Additionally, over a quarter of a million people have already used this service to obtain a replacement Smart ID card since it was launched on 9 March.

Given that, under the previous model, only 248 Home Affairs offices and 32 bank branches offered Smart ID replacement services, the addition of 203 bank branches means that access to this critical service has been expanded by 73% in a little over three months. 

The unprecedented success of this project is dramatically enhancing access to Smart ID services and accelerating efforts to replace the vulnerable Green ID Book faster than ever before.

Approximately 16 million South Africans still rely on the Green ID Book, which is prone to fraud and identity theft. 

As recently affirmed by President Cyril Ramaphosa, replacing it with the Smart ID card is essential to strengthening the integrity of South Africa’s identity system, protecting citizens against fraud and identity theft, and securing the population register that underpins citizenship, immigration and national security. 

The Home Affairs @ home reform programme is now making that transition possible at an unprecedented scale.

The 203 branches that are now live include 109 Capitec branches, 74 Standard Bank branches, and 20 FNB branches. Inside these branches, it now takes as little as five minutes to apply for a Smart ID through a fully biometric process that requires no paperwork, no prior booking, and leaves no room for discretion. 

Home Affairs said this milestone represents the largest reform and expansion of access to its services since the dawn of democracy.

“Reaching more than 200 participating bank branches and processing over 250 000 transactions in just over three months since the launch of this project is a remarkable achievement and a powerful demonstration of the progress being made through our Home Affairs @ home reform programme. Smart ID replacement services are now closer to all South Africans than ever before,” Home Affairs Minister, Dr Leon Schreiber said. 

“In the context of this spectacular progress, I am excited to share that there is much more still to come. Not only will we expand the Smart ID replacement service to 750 branches by the end of this year, but we will shortly also add first-time Smart ID applications, Passport applications, and home deliveries to all of these bank branches,” Minister Schreiber said.

“I reiterate my call to the people of South Africa: if you still have a Green ID book, help us to eradicate identity theft that feeds illegal immigration and financial fraud by switching to the Smart ID today. 

“Our digital partnership with the banks has made it easier than ever to switch. Just visit dha.gov.za/banks to find your nearest branch and switch today,” the minister said. – SAnews.gov.za

National Commissioner of the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), Makgothi Thobakgale, has handed over starter tool kits to 180 youth parolees and probationers, aiding their ability to contribute positively to society.

The youth successfully completed accredited skills development programmes at EastC Technocentric Varsity in Kempton Park.

“As we commemorate Youth Month, we encourage these young men and women to draw inspiration from the courage and determination of the youth of 1976.

“Use these tools to create opportunities for yourselves, support your families, and contribute positively to your communities,” Thobakgale said.

The department explained that the handover forms part of its broader rehabilitation and reintegration programme aimed at “enhancing employability, promoting self-reliance, and reducing the risk of reoffending through sustainable economic participation”.

“The initiative, implemented in partnership with EastC Technocentric Varsity, the University of Venda and the Safety and Security Sector Education and Training Authority aims to equip beneficiaries with practical resources to pursue employment, entrepreneurship, and sustainable livelihoods.

“The recipients completed training in Bricklaying Assistance, Plumbing Hand, Hot Water System Installation, and Renewable Energy Workshop Assistance,” the department said.

This year, South Africa commemorates the 50^th anniversary of the 1976 Soweto uprisings that were led by the youth of the time against the apartheid government. – SAnews.gov.za

National Treasury has released the Provincial Budgets and Expenditure Report for the fourth quarter of the 2025/26 financial year, which covers provincial receipts and payments.

According to the report, in the fourth quarter of the 2025/26 financial year, provinces recorded expenditure of 99.1% or R810.9 billion, against an adjusted budget of R818.4 billion.

Compared with the same period in the 2024/25 financial year, expenditure increased by 6.1% or R46.7 billion, indicating sustained year-on-year growth in provincial spending levels.

Preliminary spending on education amounted to R339.2 billion, or 99.7% of the sector’s adjusted budget of R340.3 billion. 

This reflects an increase of R21 billion, or 6.6%, compared to the same period in the previous financial year.

Provinces’ preliminary expenditure on health amounted to R276.6 billion against an adjusted budget of R278.3 billion during the Fourth Quarter of 2025/26. 

This represents an increase of R16.1 billion, or 6.2%, compared to the corresponding period of the previous financial year.

Preliminary expenditure on social development at the end of the Fourth Quarter of 2025/26 amounted to R23.4 billion against a total adjusted budget of R23.6 billion. 

This reflects an increase of R1.1 billion, or 4.9%, compared to the same period in the previous financial year.

Preliminary personnel expenditure (compensation of employees) amounted to R499.2 billion, or 99.7% of the R500.5 billion adjusted budget as at 31 March 2026. 

This represents an increase of R27.6 billion, or 5.8%, compared to the same period in the previous financial year.

Aggregate preliminary spending on goods and services amounts to R170.9 billion, representing 99% of the R172.6 billion adjusted budget. 

This is 6.9% or R11 billion higher compared to the same period of the previous financial year. 

Year-to-date payments for capital assets (capital spending) amount to R43.5 billion, or 91.8 % of the R47.4 billion adjusted budget. 

This represents an increase of R3.7 billion, or 9.4%, compared to the same period in the previous financial year, indicating improved execution of capital projects in 2025/26.

Provinces collected R27.6 billion, or 103.5% of the adjusted own revenue budget of R26.7 billion. 

This reflects an increase of R1.4 billion, or 5.3%, compared to the same period in the previous financial year, indicating improved provincial revenue performance.

The budgeted figures for the Fourth Quarter of 2025/26 are based on the 2025 Adjusted Estimates of Provincial Revenue and Expenditure, which were tabled in the provincial legislatures in November 2025 and March 2026. 

The statement on the Provincial Budgets and Expenditure Report for the fourth quarter of the 2025/26 financial year is also available on the National Treasury website at www.treasury.gov.za. –SAnews.gov.za

Acting Minister of Police Firoz Cachalia has expressed confidence in the operational plans of the Western Cape police ahead of the anticipated June 30 protests, while urging demonstrators to exercise their constitutional rights peacefully and within the confines of the law.

Cachalia made the remarks during a media briefing at Cape Town Central police station, following a visit to the Provincial Operational Coordination Centre, where he assessed the state of readiness of the Western Cape South African Police Service (SAPS) ahead of the planned demonstrations.

Calling for calm and peace on the day of the protests, the Acting Minister warned participants against carrying dangerous weapons, intimidating members of the public, vandalising property or looting businesses.

He reiterated that all those wishing to take part in the protests have a constitutional right to do so, provided they act within the ambit of the law.

The visit to the Provincial Operational Coordination Centre formed part of a broader programme in the province that began earlier at Nyanga Police Station, where Cachalia met with stakeholders to discuss crime-related challenges affecting the area.

The meeting, held on Tuesday, was attended by Western Cape Premier Allan Winde and a high-level delegation of police officials from both provincial and national structures.

During the engagement, Acting Nyanga Station Commander, Colonel Wynand Muller, presented a detailed overview of crime trends and challenges within the policing precinct.

Community representatives, including members of Community Policing Forums (CPFs), neighbourhood watches, non-governmental organisations, religious groups and youth organisations, used the opportunity to raise concerns and share their perspectives on crime and safety issues affecting their communities.

According to SAPS, stakeholders participated in the discussions with energy and enthusiasm as they engaged directly with the Acting Minister on challenges facing the area.

The engagements formed part of ongoing efforts by police leadership to assess crime-fighting initiatives, strengthen collaboration with communities and ensure operational preparedness ahead of the June 30 protests. – SAnews.gov.za
 

Government has called on community members in the Chief Albert Luthuli Local Municipality in Mpumalanga to attend the Government Exhibition Day (GED) on Thursday and make use of the wide range of government services available.

The GED forms part of the Government Communication and Information System’s (GCIS) ongoing national outreach programme aimed at bringing essential government services, information, and resources directly to communities, particularly those in remote and underserved areas. 

The one‑stop‑shop exhibition enables residents to engage face‑to‑face with multiple government departments in a single location, reducing the need for long‑distance travel.

Key services to be provided at the Government Exhibition Day include, among others:

• Home Affairs: Applications and collections of identity documents, smart ID cards, and birth certificates.
• Social Development (SASSA): Enquiries and applications for social grants.
• Health Services: Free health screenings, health education, and vaccination information.
• South African Revenue Service (SARS): Tax‑related assistance and administrative support.
• Employment and Labour: UIF enquiries and registration for employment opportunities.

The GCIS, in partnership with the Mpumalanga Provincial Government, will host a Government Exhibition Day on Thursday at the Dundonald Shopping Complex.

In preparation for the GED, GCIS hosted a Community Media Sector Workshop on Tuesday, focused on strengthening the capacity, compliance, and sustainability of community media in Mpumalanga. 

The workshop was addressed by the Mpumalanga MEC for Public Works, Roads and Transport, Thulasizwe Thomo, in his capacity as spokesperson for the Provincial Executive Council.

The workshop brought together representatives from the community media sector, senior government officials, the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA), SARS, and officials from both national and provincial government. 

Discussions focused on media‑buying compliance, access to funding and government support, as well as ethical and gender‑sensitive reporting.

A dedicated session by the Commission for Gender Equality guided gender‑sensitive writing and reporting, particularly in relation to Gender‑Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF), to strengthen responsible and impactful community journalism.

On Wednesday, 24 June, GCIS will also host youth cooperatives entrepreneurship empowerment seminars across the province in Chief Albert Luthuli , Nkomazi and Thembisile Hani local municipalities. –SAnews.gov.za