Thousands of uncollected IDs at local Home Affairs branches

Home Affairs extends operating hours to ensure registered voters have access to their identity documents for Local Government Elections

1 hour ago

Gugu Myeni 1 minute read

Operating hours have been extended at Home Affairs branches for ID collections. (Pictured): Richards Bay branch

More than 4 000 smart ID cards and 318 green ID books remain uncollected at several Home Affairs branches in the King Cetshwayo District.

The affected branches include Richards Bay, eSikhaleni, Empangeni, Eshowe and Melmoth.

A total of 4 558 smart cards are unclaimed across the district, with 820 at the Richards Bay branch, 2 634 at Empangeni offices and 1 104 in Eshowe.

Twenty green ID books have been recorded in Richards Bay, 236 in Empangeni, 7 in Eshowe, 8 in eSikhaleni and 47 at the Melmoth Home Affairs branch.

This has prompted calls for those who had applied for IDs to collect them, particularly registered voters who will cast their ballots on Election Day on Wednesday, 4 November.

The Department of Home Affairs has extended operating hours to ensure registered voters have access to their identity documents required to participate in the Local Government Elections.

The extended hours will allow voters to collect their IDs or apply for IDs and Temporary Identity Certificates (TICs) at local branches.

On Tuesday, 3 November, Home Affairs offices will be open from 8am to 6pm.

On Election Day, offices will open from 7am to 9pm to align with the Electoral Commission of South Africa’s (IEC) operational hours.

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