All Home Affairs offices across the country will operate extended hours this weekend to support the final Voter Registration Weekend on 1 and 2 August.

The offices will be open from 08:00 to 17:00 on both Saturday and Sunday to ensure eligible citizens can access identity documents needed for voter registration.

Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber, announced the extension on Friday, highlighting that more than 360 000 identity documents are currently awaiting collection at Home Affairs offices nationwide.

Citizens whose documents are ready for collection, as well as those who still need to apply for a Smart ID card, have been urged to visit their nearest office during the extended hours.

A valid identity document is required to register to vote.

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“The right to vote is one of the cornerstones of our constitutional democracy. By extending operating hours this weekend, Home Affairs is making it easier for every eligible South African to obtain the identity documents they need to register to vote,” Schreiber said.

The minister encouraged all eligible citizens to use the extended operating hours to collect documents or apply for Smart ID cards ahead of the registration deadline.

The extended service hours apply to all Home Affairs offices nationwide and coincide with the final opportunity for citizens to register to vote.

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