Dear Pakishe Aron Motsoaledi

I walked into Standard bank in Overport to collect a bank card (not for a new account) and all that was needed was my ID card.

I presented the ID card and the non muslim indian man asked me to come see the picture on screen. I did and to my surprise it showed my passport photo which I didn't have with me and nor did I submit.

(Then I remembered that you mentioned in a discussion about identity theft, the importance of being present for your photos because the system removes any old photos and keeps only the latest one of you).

The non muslim Indian man told me that the photos do not match and he can't help me. I told him to see that I had no beard in high school and short hair and have now grown a beard and have longer hair and he can even use my license. So he asked a african lady who was his colleague who said the ID was all I needed to provide and he could use my license but the photos do not match.

Thus he in turn assisted me and I got my card but he mentioned that I would always have this problem and in the future I should bring my passport with me.

Now I have to say that I am shocked by this. It is not right to take someones ID photo on the system and put it as their passport photo and give them unnecessary trouble.

Secondly if you want to reduce identity theft then I wouldn't delete the old photos but rather keep them so you have a visual evidence and proof of who someome was, rather than making it easier for criminals to steal identities. That way you can see how someone looked and how they look now especially in the case of people who wear a beard, have grown longer hair or have aged.

I hope you will be able to find a solution so that people who are in a situation like myself can use their Identity cards without hassle.

PS Home affairs workers have mentioned their systems don't work fast. Please use the budget allowance to upgrade your tier support to highest possible so that 24/7 IT support can help and so your browser page speed can be increased reducing waiting time of both employees & citizens.

Thank you!