The United Kingdoms of Southern Africa (UKOSA) held a media briefing on March 6 in Duduza, where they addressed their opposition to the newly introduced digital IDs in the country.The briefing was attended by various stakeholders, including Amangadi, the Umkhonto we Sizwe Katlehong branch, and community members.
During the 2026 SONA, President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed the launch of the digital IDs. In his speech, he said that the government would work with civil society to ensure that citizens’ protections and rights are safeguarded through this digital revolution.
Speaking to the African Reporter, Prince Bheki Mavuso said that when the government announced this, the organisation was not informed. He added that the Department of Home Affairs should have met with civil organisations and allowed them to give their opinions.
He said that the concept of digital IDs is something that was introduced by people who are not part of the country.
“The government is finding new ways that will control the citizens’ rights of movement and this will increase fraud. We should be the ones taking decisions for ourselves and future generations.”
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“As an organisation, we did not see the use of going to home affairs because they did not come to us when they made their announcement. It has become a norm in this country where the government will make changes without giving citizens a voice to express their opinions,” said Mavuso.
Mavuso added that the government should hold a referendum where citizens get to decide on a law passed by the government. Inkosi Emmanuel Mndebele expressed his concerns that the government will have total control over individuals and added that in the future it might affect citizens’ banking.
“There are people who are uneducated who work part-time jobs and are paid in cash, and if the digital IDs are implemented, won’t it affect them and have them classified as people who are not in this country?
“We will go to the ground and tell people not to get the digital IDs and educate them about the referendum, which will allow us as a nation to have one voice against such technologies,” said Mndebele.
Mndebele and Mavuso encouraged the community to speak up when the government implements policies they do not understand and to do research to educate themselves.
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