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The Department of Home Affairs will extend operating hours nationwide this weekend as more than 370,000 uncollected Smart ID Cards remain at offices across South Africa. The move coincides with the Electoral Commission’s Voter Registration Weekend and is aimed at helping eligible citizens obtain the identification documents required to register and participate in future elections.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced a series of measures aimed at strengthening South Africa’s immigration system, securing borders and addressing illegal migration following growing public concern and anti-illegal immigration protests in parts of the country. In a national address delivered from the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Sunday evening, the President outlined government’s new Comprehensive Approach for Migration Management and acknowledged concerns around border security, employment, service delivery and crime. The announcement is particularly significant for Gauteng, where recent protests in areas including Ekurhuleni and Johannesburg have brought migration issues into sharp focus and intensified calls for government intervention.

President Cyril Ramaphosa is hosting Kenyan President William Ruto on a State Visit to South Africa on Thursday, 4 June 2026, with discussions expected to focus on trade, investment, economic cooperation and regional development. The visit includes official talks at the Union Buildings in Tshwane and a South Africa-Kenya Business Forum at Gallagher Estate in Midrand. The engagements matter for Gauteng because the province remains South Africa’s economic hub and is likely to play a central role in future trade and investment opportunities arising from stronger bilateral relations between the two countries.

President Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa is working towards ending load reduction as economic conditions improve and investments in energy infrastructure continue to stabilise electricity supply. Speaking during the Presidency Budget Vote in Parliament on Tuesday, Ramaphosa said stronger tax revenues, improved public finances and a more stable economy were creating conditions that could help the country move beyond years of electricity constraints.

Thousands of South Africans whose identity numbers were blocked before November 2022 have been given until 10 July 2026 to explain why their IDs should be restored. The Department of Home Affairs launched a nationwide campaign this week, inviting affected individuals to submit representations and supporting documents before a final decision is made on their records. Failure to respond could result in the cancellation of affected identity numbers, potentially impacting access to government services, banking, employment and social grants.