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Thousands of identity documents (IDs) are gathering dust in Home Affairs offices across the Gert Sibande District, sparking concern among municipal leaders who fear the situation could hinder access to public services and voter participation ahead of the upcoming local government elections. The revelation emerged during the Gert Sibande Speakers Forum, convened by the Office of the Speaker, Cllr Busisiwe Sekhonde, at the Gert Sibande District Municipality (GSDM) Council Chambers in Ermelo. The forum brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from the Department of Home Affairs, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), and various municipal officials, to review progress on civic participation and voter education programmes. According to reports presented at the meeting, thousands of ID cards remain uncollected in towns across the district. The breakdown includes:Govan Mbeki Municipality: 1,250 in Bethal and 2,122 in SecundaChief Albert Luthuli Municipality: 427 in Carolina and 830 in EerstehoekMsukaligwa Municipality: 786 in ErmeloMkhondo Municipality: 1,087 in MkhondoLekwa Municipality: 1,214 in StandertonDr Pixley Ka Isaka Seme Municipality: 155 in Volksrust Cllr Sekhonde described the trend as “deeply worrying,” stressing that an uncollected ID translates to a citizen being excluded from vital services and democratic participation. “Every uncollected ID represents a citizen who could be left behind; unable to...