Is this new form of apartheid?

Dear Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber, From the end of this year, your department will no longer be issuing the green ID books.

- BRENDAN SEERY

Perhaps you need to tell SABC that this is not the same as saying the books will no longer be valid, as their reporting doesn't seem to make the distinction.

Replacing the green books with the metal ID cards has to be a good idea. I know this was in train before you took office, but I agree that South Africa should move with the times. Also, those green books have a max shelf life of about 10 years before they start falling apart.

However, why is it that only people born in SA can obtain the cards? People who are citizens by naturalisation and permanent residents are currently barred from obtaining these IDs, according to your website.