Apply for ID to vote

2003-12-23 10:50

Johannesburg - The department of home affairs has urged those who do not have identity documents to apply for them in order to be able to vote in next year's general elections.

Spokesperson Nkosana Sibuyi said on Tuesday people must take advantage of the opportunity by applying for their identity documents as they would not be able to exercise their democratic right to vote.

"It is every South African's right, who is over 18 years to exercise his or her democratic right to vote."

He said people also needed a bar-coded identity document to receive government services and benefits such as child support grants, foster care grants, disability grants, old age grants, grant in aid, housing, education, health-care and job opportunities.

Another round of voter registration is to take place on January 24 and 25.

He added that an ID enabled a person to apply and obtain a driver's licence, seek employment, enrol for learnerships, and obtain passports, visas and so forth.

Sibuyi said from January to December this year, the department has successfully managed to dispatch more than 2.6 million identity documents to their rightful owners.

However, he said some people have not gone back to collect them. "We therefore would like to urge all those who applied for IDs at least two months ago, and have not yet collected them, to do so urgently," said Sibuyi.

The department has introduced a toll free number, which is operational from Monday to Friday between 07:30 and 16:30 in order to assist those with problems related to obtaining an identity document.

The department has asked anyone who needs more information to phone [phone].

- SAPA