Home Affairs extends operating hours ahead of voter registration

In a statement on Friday, the department said the extension was due to meeting the demands for ID collections ahead of the voter registration weekend.

Operational hours will be extended for five hours on Saturdays until the registration weekend.

"The Department of Home Affairs will open its offices on Saturday, 4 November 2023 and Saturday, 11 November 2023, for five hours for citizens to collect their IDs and passports ahead of the 18-19 Voter Registration Weekend," said Home Affairs spokesperson Siya Qoza.

"To ease pressure on its clients, Home Affairs has introduced dedicated counters for collections in large offices that process Smart ID Cards and passports, where space allows.

"This will help in reducing queues. In addition, clients can now book collection appointments before visiting offices using the Branch Appointment Booking System, which is available on the DHA website.

"The department also allows clients who may not have an opportunity to book appointments to visit as walk-ins and will be assisted to collect their IDs and passports."

This as operating hours will be from 8am to 1pm daily.

Qoza adds that ID services will also be available at all Home Affairs offices during the voter registration weekends.

"In this regard, operating hours at Home Affairs offices will be aligned with those of the Independent Electoral Commission in order to assist voters who need to collect IDs they have applied for or to apply for Temporary Identification Certificates. With these documents, eligible voters will be able to register for the 2024 national and provincial elections.

"Temporary Identification Certificates are issued on the spot. We would like to urge all clients who have applied for their identification documents and have been waiting for three weeks or more to seize this opportunity by visiting their Home Affairs office to collect these critical documents at their convenience.”