All South Africans who were registered to vote in London - 7 427 in total - cast their ballots at the embassy in Trafalgar Square last week, the government said on Monday.

The number of those who voted is the same as the number of voters who had registered to vote in London (7 427).

"It was significant that 16 240 South Africans living abroad applied for and were granted permission for a special vote and that almost half of these (7 427) voted in London, where the South African High Commissioner mobilised the entire mission to ensure that voting went smoothly," the government communications service said.

Spokesperson Themba Maseko said the government wanted to acknowledge the "important role" South Africans abroad had thereby played in the elections.

"The enthusiasm evident in those who queued outside South Africa House throughout the day, bodes well for creating the atmosphere for more South Africans to return and make a contribution through deploying their skills in nation-building effort or creating more jobs," he said.

Expatriates have been allowed to vote for the first time since 1994 after the Constitutional Court ruled last month that those abroad, who were already on the voters roll, could cast their ballots.

The Independent Electoral Commission could on Monday not give a total figure for the number of citizens who voted at missions abroad last Wednesday.