Home Affairs to issue TICs

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Pretoria-People who have no identity documents but still wish to cast their votes before the 7pm deadline still have a chance to do so by applying for Temporary Identity Certificates (TICs).

"Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma has directed that the Department must allow potential voters, if they so wish, to apply only for temporary identity certificates independent of an application for an ID," the Department of Home Affairs said on Wednesday.

This as millions of South Africans cast their votes in the fourth local government elections. Voting will close at 7pm this evening.

Home Affairs said the cost of a temporary identity certificate is R140. This is a document issued by the department to those who have lost or misplaced their IDs while awaiting the issuance of new IDs.

Normally people have to apply for a Temporary Identity Certificate simultaneously with the application for a new ID.

"This has created problems for potential voters who want to apply for a temporary identity certificate only."

The effect of the Ministerial directive, said the department, is that this process will be implemented with immediate effect in all offices across the country

Home Affairs officers will remain open in conjunction with voting stations until 7pm.