Home Affairs urges South Africans to apply for or replace IDs before November 4 elections

Home Affairs has urged South Africans to apply for, collect or replace identity documents now to ensure they can participate in the Local Government Elections on November 4.

Call to act early

The Department of Home Affairs issued the appeal on Monday, warning citizens not to leave obtaining identity documents until the last minute. The department specifically urged people whose IDs have been lost or damaged to begin replacement procedures ahead of election day.

Expanded access to Smart ID services

Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber said access to identity document services has been significantly expanded. He noted that the department had rolled out digitalised Smart ID services at over 450 bank branches in a five-month period.

“A valid ID document holds the key to democratic participation in the upcoming elections,” Schreiber said.

Citizens can apply for or collect identity documents through Home Affairs offices or through the participating bank branches that form part of the department’s expanded Smart ID service network.

Who else should act?

The department urged South Africans who have already applied for identity documents but have not yet collected them to do so as soon as possible. Home Affairs also encouraged people who already have their IDs to check whether relatives, friends and colleagues are ready for the elections and to encourage those who do not yet have a Smart ID to apply and collect their documents ahead of November 4.

Online tools

Home Affairs said citizens can use its online platform to locate participating bank branches offering identity document services.

Key points:

• Home Affairs urges applications, collections and replacements of IDs now.
• The Local Government Elections are scheduled for November 4.
• Digital Smart ID services have been rolled out at over 450 bank branches.
• Citizens can use the department’s online platform to find participating bank branches.