Green’s Dictionary of Slang

(S.Afr. black) a pass book, i.e. the mandatory identity document formerly carried by all blacks.

1977		J. Sikakane Window on Soweto 25: One of the inmates will stumble around [...] in search of a matchbox to light a candle and find the ‘dompasses’ to prove to policemen they are registered workers.
1979		M. Matshoba ‘Glimpse of Slavery’ Call Me Not A Man 64: Putting the cards between the pages of my pass, he tossed it to me. ‘There’s your dompass. Go!’.
1980		E. Joubert Poppie 116: Did you ask the policeman where’s his dompass?