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 Secunda
Chief Albert Luthuli Municipality: 427 in Carolina and 830 in Eerstehoek
Msukaligwa Municipality: 786 in Ermelo
Mkhondo Municipality: 1,087 in Mkhondo
Lekwa Municipality: 1,214 in Standerton
Dr 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 access services, unable to register to vote, and unable to fully exercise their rights,” she said. “We are calling on all residents to act now: visit your nearest Home Affairs office and collect your identity document. Your ID is your power.”
The forum resolved that municipal Speakers, ward committees, and Home Affairs offices will intensify joint community outreach programmes, visiting villages and townships to raise awareness and assist residents in retrieving their IDs.
Cllr Thato Mathunyane, Speaker of the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality, also attended the forum to learn from the GSDM’s collaborative model, which is widely recognised for its success in promoting civic engagement and participatory governance.
The campaign forms part of the municipality’s broader push to strengthen voter readiness and ensure every eligible citizen is prepared for the forthcoming elections.
Suggested Solutions to Address Uncollected IDs
To prevent the continued piling up of unclaimed identity documents, the following strategies could be implemented:
Mobile ID Collection Drives: Deploy mobile Home Affairs units to towns and villages to deliver uncollected IDs directly to residents.
Ward-Based Awareness Campaigns: Leverage ward committees and local radio stations to publicize lists of available IDs.
SMS Notifications: Send automated text alerts to citizens when their IDs are ready for collection.
School and Church Partnerships: Use schools, churches, and community halls as collection points during scheduled outreach events.
Incentivized Collection Weeks: Launch a national “ID Collection Week” in collaboration with municipalities, featuring door-to-door awareness drives and media coverage.
