The primary dangers of a digital ID system in South Africa

Luis

Journalist
Staff member
Joined
Mar 12, 2026
Messages
400
Reaction score
435
Six dangers of a digital ID system in South Africa

Lex Libertas executive director Ernst Roets has highlighted six primary dangers associated with the South African government's plans to shift to a digital ID system.

In a video, Roets summarised the organisation's concerns and recommended that South Africans visit its link to a campaign to block digital IDs in South Africa.
 
I’m really not sure what he’s on about.
He should have focused his energy on 1 or 2 points instead of waffling like he’s trying to write a 500 word essay
 
Newsflash - your identity has been stored digitally in the national population register for decades already.
The problem is when this digital id is required to access services.
here is an example:
1783237378677.png

GoGo don't have a smartphone to take a selfie to verify against Home Affairs digital ID, so GoGo can't use Capitec...
Capitec only works with App.
Even web banking requires Capitec App to function.
GoGo Went to FNB, took green ID book, proof of address and 10m later had a bank account.
Gogo only has basic phone - and that's complicated.
No Capitec for Gogo.

This same scenario happened in India where Digital ID was optional, but was adopted by banks, cutting off many elderly people from services.

If an elderly individual does not own a smartphone, they lose access to app-based workarounds (like face authentication apps) and face severe challenges with OTP-based verification, which can lead to delayed pensions, blocked bank accounts, or denied food rations.
 
Last edited:
The problem is when this digital id is required to access services.
here is an example:
View attachment 1919477

Gogo don't have a smartphone to take a selfie to verify against Home Affairs digital ID, so GoGo can't use Capitec...
Capitec only works with App.
Even web banking requires Capitec App to function.
GoGo Went to FNB, took green ID book, proof of address and 10m later had a bank account.
Gogo only has basic phone - and that's complicated.
No Capitec for Gogo.

This same scenario happened in India where Digital ID was optional, but was adopted by banks, cutting off many elderly people from services.

If an elderly individual does not own a smartphone, they lose access to app-based workarounds (like face authentication apps) and face severe challenges with OTP-based verification, which can lead to delayed pensions, blocked bank accounts, or denied food rations.
Eh? She could get an account with Capitec using her green ID book. In fact with the number of branches that they have supporting getting the new ID she could probably get her new ID at the same time.
 
Newsflash - your identity has been stored digitally in the national population register for decades already.
Do you understand what the current system is or how it works, do you have any idea of what the new system will be or how it would work. Your answer says you have no idea of the proposed changes or what the consequence of them will be.
 
Lots of otherwise logical comments here, that all seem to miss sight of what the reality will be, or the amount of control it hands over to the state. (EDIT) The room for abuse of the system by the state is obvious, and like it or not, we have never had a government that hasn't abused the system for their own gain.
 
Last edited:
Problem with this is the goverment. Whatever they do will end up a disaster. They are too incompetent to implement a digital system as the cost will far exceed what it is worth or what little benefit it actual has. Nevermind a security breach gauranteed. Freaking corrupt criminal clowns.

Check this beautiful cesspit of a system these clowns have created, state of the art Africa excellence:
 
Last edited:
Lots of otherwise logical comments her, that all seem to miss sight of what the reality will be, or the amount of control it hands over to the state. (EDIT) The room for abuse of the system by the state is obvious, and like it or not, we have never had a government that hasn't abused the system for their own gain.
They can't even do that properly.
 
Problem with this is the goverment. Whatever they do will end up a disaster. They are too incompetent to implement a digital system as the cost will far exceed what it is worth or what little benefit it actual has. Nevermind a security breach gauranteed. Freaking corrupt criminal clowns.

Check this beautiful cesspit of a system these clowns have created, state of the art Africa excellence:
Their incompetence: our saving grace))
 
Given how great this government is at securing it's digital services and resources.... we only needed one danger.

ANC

Fake IDs for sale within 2 weeks. Watch this space.
 
Problem with this is the goverment. Whatever they do will end up a disaster. They are too incompetent to implement a digital system as the cost will far exceed what it is worth or what little benefit it actual has. Nevermind a security breach gauranteed. Freaking corrupt criminal clowns.

Check this beautiful cesspit of a system these clowns have created, state of the art Africa excellence:
Yes, our "expert" forgot the most worrying part - the fact that our government run IT infrastructure is as secure as a toilet at a whorehouse! Identity theft will be even more rampant if this goes throuhg!
 
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X