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Freeman Razemba
Senior Reporter
ZIMBABWE has started processing and issuing birth and marriage certificates for its citizens in South Africa, after Government established an e-passport Bio-Enrolment Centre at the Zimbabwe Consulate in Johannesburg.
The development also comes after Government refurbished a building in the neighbouring country, which is now set for commissioning and is being used for the issuance of e-passports.
Through the facility, Zimbabweans based in South Africa are now able to make applications for births and marriage certificates, non-marriage certificates and also confirmation of certificates. Zimbabweans can also apply for temporary travel documents.
The issuing of these certificates and e-passports follows President Mnangagwa’s directive that such documents should be accessible to all Zimbabweans regardless of where they live.
A team of officials from the Registrar-General’s Office and other consultants are already in South Africa training the consulate staff.
In a statement yesterday, the Civil Registry confirmed the developments.
“The Civil Registry Department wishes to advise its valued clients and stakeholders that an e-Passport Bio-Enrolment Centre was established at the Zimbabwe Consulate in Johannesburg, South Africa and issuance of e-passports has commenced.
“In addition to application for e-passports, the following services are also offered at the consulate for the benefit of Zimbabwean citizens in South Africa: External birth applications; application of duplicate marriage certificates and non-marriage certificates; confirmation of certificates; and Issuance of Temporary Travel Documents. Members of the public are therefore, encouraged to utilise this office and apply for documents,” reads the statement in part.
Plans are also underway to open five more e-passport offices abroad, including in the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates and the United States as the Second Republic walks its talk on bringing services closer to the people, locally and abroad.
Already, Government has since opened several e-passport centres in Zimbabwe including in Guruve, Gwanda, Gweru, Lupane, Marondera, Beitbridge, Chitungwiza, Hwange, Mazowe, Murehwa, Zvishavane, Chinhoyi and Guruve, to add to the facilities at Chiwashira Muchecheterwa Building in Harare and at provincial and district offices in Bulawayo.
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