As of Wednesday, South Africans hoping to register a business will have to provide a certified copy of their identity documents to the registration office.

The Companies and Intellectual Property Registration Office (Cipro) says all transactions that take place at the office will require company directors to provide their barcoded ID books.

Cipro acting CEO Lungile Dukwana says the new process is part of the organisation’s attempt to fight the fraud and corruption that has afflicted the organisation.

“In cases where more than one member is involved, such as a close corporation or company, all members or directors should provide certified copies of their ID documents, including the person who will be lodging on behalf of others,” says Dukwana.

The registration office says ID documents were not used before because it was not a requirement of the Companies Act.

Cipro has come under fire over the last few months, after it emerged that it has become riddled with fraud. Investigations have revealed that several false companies have been registered to cash in on tax returns. There’s also appears to have been fraud involving Cipro itself, including the alleged rigging of an IT tender.

Dukwana says Cipro is in discussions with several partners to find other control methods to help stop the fraud. — Staff reporter, TechCentral