This comes after the Free State Department of Home Affairs (DHA) launched their branch appointment booking system (BABS) on Tuesday.

Citizens will no longer need to stand in long queues, waiting to get their IDs done.

According to Pulane Sejane from the department’s Botshabelo Medium Office, applicants can make appointments online, where the system will provide them with a date and time to go make their IDs.

“During that application online, they will give you a reference. You will produce that reference at the office, then it will direct you to the photo booth, then to your application. You are not going to queue any longer,” Sejane says.

Meanwhile, the Free State DHA calls on citizens without document IDs to apply for their smart ID cards at Botshabelo Home Affairs and other branch offices within Bloemfontein.

Sejane explains that this weekend is said to make up for ID-day that could not take place last week.

ID-day forms part of the DHA’s long-running campaign for students and the community to apply for ID smart cards.

First-time applicants and pensioners above 60 years will not be charged for the smart cards.

However, those who wish to replace their lost ID’s or replace their green book will be charged.

The requirement for ID applications by citizens aged 16 and above are as follows:

- Birth certificate

- Certified copy of one of the parents/legal guardian/informant's identity documentation

- Death certificate or certified copy if parents are deceased.

Applicants can visit the Home Affairs branches in Bloemfontein during the weekends. Operation hours will be from 08:00 until 13:00 on both Saturday and Sunday.

During weekdays, Home Affairs offices will be open for extended hours from 16:00 till 17:00.

OFM News/Bambatha Giko