Question NW1438 to the Minister of Home Affairs
15 May 2023 - NW1438
van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
Considering that according to his department’s website, there are currently 25 banks that provide the service for passport and identity applications (details furnished), thereby noting that it appears that not even 10% of bank branches offer home affairs services, what (a) are the reasons that the bank footprint of his department is not expanding and (b) plans are afoot to ensure that all bank branches will be able to offer home affairs services?
Reply:
a) The expansion of the banks footprint is dependent on the signing of partnership agreements with the banks and has been delayed due to the banks requirements that DHA should guarantee minimal system downtime and quicker response to calls logged for IT support.
b) The DHA and Banking Association of South Africa (BASA) which represent all banks are crafting plans that will mitigate the issues raised by banks to ensure that the partnership agreements are eventually signed in the current financial year.
END