Smart ID Online Application

Smart ID Card online application. I am astounded to find that The Department of Home Affairs "Smart ID" Online application services is closed due to Covid-19 Regulations??? Why is this service even advertised everywhere on the internet?

I wanted to book an online application for a "Smart ID" for my daughter to later collect at my bank to avoid the ques at Home Affairs. Obviously, one would think this would be ideal due to Covid-19 etc. The process to apply for your Smart ID through the banks is to first visit the Home Affairs website to complete and submit an application form "ONLINE" at https://ehome.dha.gov.za/echannel PROBLEM.... This is the message you see when you navigate to this address... "The services of eHomeAffairs site are currently disabled in line with the COVID19 regulations, the service will resume at a future date."

The joke is that this is all online? What does this have to do with Covid-19 regulations???

When is our government going to get in-line with the technology available and what is the reason that this so called "Online" application is affected by Covid-19???

Absolutely ridiculous!