This page has been validated.
10     No. 18485
Government Gazette, 3 December 1997

Act No. 68, 1997
Identification Act, 1997

Chapter 3

Identity Card


Identity Card

14. An identity card may contain only the following relevant particulars in respect of the person to whom it is issued, namely—

(a)

the particulars referred to in section 8(a), (b), (d) and (f);

(b)

the prescribed fingerprint or prints; and

(c)

any other particulars in the population register determined by the Minister by notice in the Gazette as particulars which, subject to the conditions, exceptions or exemptions (if any) mentioned in the notice, may be included in identity cards.


Application for identity card

15. (1) Any person referred to in section 3 who has attained the age of 16 years shall in the prescribed form and within the prescribed period apply for an identity card.

(2) Two copies of the photograph referred to in section 9, and the fingerprints referred to in section 10, shall accompany the application made under this section.


Temporary identity certificates

16. When any person has applied for an identity card, or has for official purposes lodged his or her identity card with the Director-General, the Director-General may on application issue to the person concerned whose particulars are included in the population register in terms of section 8, a temporary identity certificate in the prescribed form and manner, which, for the period and on the conditions mentioned therein, shall for the purpose of this Act be regarded as his or her identity card.


Proof of identity

17. (1) An authorised officer as defined in subsection (3) may at any time request any person reasonably presumed to have attained the age of 16 years to prove his or her identity to that officer by the production of his or her identity card as defined in subsection (4).

(2) If it comes to the attention of an officer acting in the service of the Department of Home Affairs that a person referred to in section 3 who has attained the age of 16 years has not complied with the provisions of section 15(1), that officer shall take the prescribed steps to ensure that that person applies without delay for an identity card in terms of this Act.

(3) For the purposes of this section “authorised officer” means—

(a)

a peace officer as defined in section 1 of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977 (Act No. 51 of 1977); or

(b)

a person, or a member of a category of persons, designated by the Minister by notice in the Gazette, and who for the purpose of this section shall be deemed to be such a peace officer.

(4) For the purposes of subsection (1) “identity card” includes any other proof of identity issued by the State and on which the name and a photograph of the holder appear.


Chapter 4

Offences and Penalties


Offences and penalties

18. (1) No person shall—

(a)

for the purpose of this Act make or cause to be made a false statement;