Fake news is yet again rearing its ugly head, leaving the Department of Home Affairs with the task of squashing rumours about the discontinuation of the green barcoded ID books.
Taking to Twitter, the department posted an image of what appears to be an official announcement from the department which states the ID books will be phased out by April 1.
On January 27, the Department tweeted: “[Fake News] Take Note of fake news regarding the discontinuation of the Green Barcoded ID! The @HomeAffairsSA HAS NOT announced any plans to discontinue the Green ID Book! (sic)” the department tweeted.
While the department addresses the issue, this is not the first time the department is facing rumours regarding the green barcoded ID Books.
In 2018, the department was forced to condemn similar rumours, after the department’s offices were flooded with enquiries from concerned citizens.
At the time of the incident, the department claimed these reports, which first appeared towards the end of 2017, claimed that 31 March 2018 would be the termination date for using the old green-barcoded ID books.
The department stated at the time, that this saw large numbers of citizens flocking to the home affairs offices in a state of panic to apply for smart ID cards in panic.
With the current rumours circulating, the department urges the public to ignore the messages, as responding with panic has a negative effect on its services.
