Passports at shopping malls? Home Affairs branches out

You could soon apply for ID’s and passports at South African shopping malls, as Home Affairs plans to branch out. Here’s what you need to know…

The Department of Home Affairs has committed to reducing the long queues at its branches by consulting with five shopping malls so people can get their Smart IDs and passports there. 

Home Affairs Minister, Aaron Motsoaledi revealed this when he presented his department’s budget for the 2022/23 financial year this week. 

SHOPPING MALLS YOU COULD GET YOUR ID OR PASSPORT AT

Motsoaledi said as an immediate relief measure, they have been engaging several malls in the country.   

“Operating Home Affairs offices at malls will obviate the problem of queuing in the sun or rain. 

“We shall start with Menlyn mall in Pretoria, Cresta mall and Southgate mall in Johannesburg, the Pavillion in Ethekwini and Tygervalley mall in Cape Town,” Motsoaledi said. 

Another immediate relief measure that they are implementing is a new online booking system called BABS (Branch Appointment Booking System). This system is currently being piloted in 24 of the department’s busiest offices, according to Motsoaledi. 

ALSO READ: SONA 2022: eVisa implementation on the cards for SA

HOME AFFAIRS PARTNERS WITH BANKS TO REDUCE QUEUES

Recently, Home Affairs announced its partnership with national banks in working to resolve two major issues, one being the department’s downtime. 

The application process starts online, then you can continue the process at your nearest bank. Here’s where you can apply:

WESTERN CAPE

• Standard Bank: Canal Walk, Cape Town
• FNB: Greenpoint, Cape Town
• Nedbank: St Georges Mall, Cape Town
• Standard Bank: Mitchell’s Plain Promenade, Mitchell’s Plain
• FNB: Portside, Cape Town

GAUTENG

• ABSA: Centurion
• FNB: Lynnwood, Pretoria
• FNB: Merchant Place, Sandton
• Nedbank: Arcadia, Pretoria
• Nedbank: Constantia Kloof, Roodepoort
• Nedbank: Rivonia, Sandton
• Standard Bank: Centurion
• Standard Bank: Killarney, Johannesburg
• Standard Bank: Simmonds Street, Johannesburg
• Investec Bank: Sandton
• Standard Bank: Jubilee Mall, Hammanskraal
• ABSA: Key West Mall, Krugersdorp
• ABSA: Sandton
• FNB: Glen Shoppign Centre, Oakdene

KWAZULU-NATAL

• FNB: Cornubia, Greyville
• Standard Bank: Kingsmead, Greyville

LIMPOPO

• FNB: Burgersfort, Limpopo

EASTERN CAPE

• ABSA: Gqerberha
• Standard Bank: Newtown, Gqerberha

By: Nokwanda Ncwane