Minister Dlamini Zuma today Thursday, 17 March 2011 appealed to South Africans over the age of 18 who have not yet applied for their IDs to do so ahead of the Local Government Elections scheduled for 18 May 2011.
Speaking in Durban Minister Dlamini Zuma said, “The President of the Republic, Jacob Zuma, yesterday, Wednesday, 16 March 2011 declared the day on which the country’s forth democratic Local Government Elections will be held, 18 May 2011, a public holiday. South Africans who are 18 years of age and above will therefore have every opportunity to exercise their democratic right to vote.”
“Accordingly and in line with the department’s constitutional mandate to assist the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to hold free, fair and credible elections that are truly represent the will of the electorate, the Department of Home Affairs is ready to ensure all South Africans who want to participate in the forthcoming Local Government Elections are in possession of valid ID documents that will allow them to register to vote.”
“Simultaneously we appeal to the approximately 500 000 South Africans who have previously applied but not yet collected their IDs to do so as soon as possible at their office of application.”
“It is your democratic right to vote and the department will make every effort to ensure you are able to exercise this right,” concluded Minister Dlamini Zuma.
Enquiries:
Manusha Pillai
Cell: 082 389 3587
