KwaZulu-Natal has over 100 000 smart IDs and green ID books collecting dust at its various branches across the provinces as people who applied for them have not collected them. The KZN Home Affairs has also intensified efforts to have learners and students who are eligible to vote to register for voting ahead of the Electoral Commission of South Africa's first round of voter registration weekend in June for the upcoming local government elections.
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KwaZulu-Natal’s Department of Home Affairs has appealed to residents to collect their smart ID cards, with more than 100 000 documents lying unclaimed at offices across the province.
Provincial Manager Cyril Mncwabe revealed that as of December 2025, a total of 105 878 smart IDs had not been collected.
He made the remarks during a presentation to a parliamentary committee, where he outlined ongoing efforts to address the backlog.
“We have launched several campaigns, including radio outreach and community engagement, to encourage people to collect their IDs,” said Mncwabe.
The department has identified young people aged between 15 and 35 as the primary group failing to collect their documents.
“It is free to apply for a first-time ID. While we no longer issue the old green ID book, some uncollected copies are still at our offices,” he added, noting that around 5 000 green ID books remain uncollected.
Cyril Mncwabe, Provincial Manager of Home Affairs in KwaZulu-Natal, told the parliamentary portfolio committee that the province has about 100 000 uncollected smart IDs including the old green ID books.
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To improve access and uptake, Home Affairs has intensified its school outreach programme. Mobile units are being deployed to schools to assist eligible learners with ID applications, in partnership with municipalities and community volunteers.
“We work closely with eThekwini Municipality to identify schools where learners need IDs. Community volunteers help identify these learners, who are then assisted at branches such as uMngeni,” Mncwabe explained.
The department has also partnered with several banks to expand access to ID application services.
These include First National Bank’s Cornubia Mall branch in uMhlanga, Nedbank in Durban North, Standard Bank in Kingsmead, Durban, and Capitec’s Howick branch, which recently announced the service. The province's Home Affairs also introduced a new branch at the Pavilion mall in Westville, west of Durban in April 2024.
The push to increase ID uptake comes as the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) prepares for the first voter registration weekend scheduled for June 20 and 21, 2026, ahead of the upcoming local government elections.
Although the election date has yet to be officially proclaimed by Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa, it is expected to take place between November 2026 and January 2027.
According to the IEC, more than 200 000 voters registered between March 2025 and March 2026. Of these, 132 092 registered online, while 128 113 registered at IEC offices, with young people making up the majority.
The commission has also intensified its voter education campaigns at schools and higher education institutions to encourage greater youth participation in the democratic process.