Parliament has presented for the first time the National Identity Cards (Amendment) Bill 2024, seeking to eliminate expiration of dates for national identity (ID) cards.
If enacted, the Bill presented by legislator Thabiso Lekitla yesterday will mark a significant shift in the management of IDs in the country.
The proposed law aims to amend the National Identity Cards Act 2011, effectively abolishing the expiration dates on identity cards. As per the amendment, IDs will continue to be valid indefinitely, provided the holder meets the eligibility criteria and the card has not been cancelled under specific conditions outlined in the Act.
This means all IDs, regardless of their previously stated expiry dates, will remain valid until the minister responsible issues a declaration stating otherwise.
The envisaged change aims to remove the need for regular renewals and the associated administrative burden.
