President declares August 3 a public holiday

The date of the 2016 Local Government Elections, 3 August 2016, has been declared a public holiday.

This will enable all South Africans who are eligible to vote to exercise their right on the day, said President Jacob Zuma when he made the announcement on Friday.

“Voting is a fundamental right enshrined in our Constitution. It is important that citizens are granted an opportunity to exercise this right freely. This is particularly so when they elect this sphere of government that is closest to them,” said President Zuma.

He called on all eligible voters to go out in numbers to vote on 3 August 2016.

This year marks 16 years of democratic local government in South Africa.