Home Affairs Minister Mr Malusi Gigaba asked South Africans, who have applied for their IDs, to collect them so they can register to vote in this year’s local government elections.

“We urge all young and first-time voters to register to vote. It is by voting that citizens select the public representatives that best serve their interests.

“South Africans, who do not have IDs, are urged to apply now at their nearest Home Affairs offices and those that have already applied are requested to collect them,” Gigaba said.

The first voter registration drive will be on the weekend of March 5-6.

All Home Affairs offices will be open from 08:00 to 17:00 on 5 and 6 March to enable those who do not have IDs to apply for them.

There are more than 200 000 uncollected IDs.