DA spokesperson Karabo Khakhau accuses EFF of opposing Home Affairs bank services rollout.
Image: DA/X
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has accused the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) of opposing progress in government service delivery, following criticism of plans to expand Department of Home Affairs services to bank branches across South Africa.
DA national spokesperson Karabo Khakhau said the party was not surprised by the EFF’s stance on the initiative, which will allow South Africans to apply for Smart ID cards at selected bank branches.
“The Democratic Alliance is unsurprised that the EFF stands against Home Affairs services rolling out to bank branches across South Africa, because the EFF is an enemy of progress,” Khakhau said.
The rollout, which includes services at Capitec Bank and Standard Bank branches, forms part of the department’s efforts to modernise identity services and reduce long queues at traditional offices.
Khakhau described the initiative as a significant step toward improving public access to government services.
“The launch of Home Affairs SmartID applications at bank branches of Capitec and Standard Bank is a groundbreaking leap forward for South Africans, and is the start of the end of queueing for hours outside Home Affairs branches,” she said.
She added that the Smart ID card would help improve security and reduce identity fraud linked to the older green identity book.
“SmartIDs replace the very insecure, and often forged Green ID Book which have allowed illegal immigrants to impersonate South African citizens. It clearly exposes the EFF that they would stand in the way of people converting to secure SmartIDs,” Khakhau said.
The DA also criticised the EFF’s opposition to the programme, claiming it would hinder efforts to modernise Home Affairs services.
“We reject the EFF’s position that they would prefer South Africans to stand in long queues at Home Affairs, and that the EFF would defend illegal immigrants who are using forged SA Green ID Books,” Khakhau said.
Khakhau said the party’s participation in the Government of National Unity was partly aimed at preventing parties such as the EFF and the uMkhonto weSizwe Party from entering national government.
“This is why the DA is determined to keep the EFF out of national government, and it is why the DA entered the Government of National Unity to prevent a ‘doomsday’ where the EFF and MK party entered national government,” she said.
Khakhau also praised Leon Schreiber, the Minister of Home Affairs, for what she described as progress in modernising services.
“The DA is proud of Minister Schreiber’s barnstorming progress at Home Affairs, delivering Home Affairs @ home,” she said.
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