Chronicle Editor
Robin Muchetu, Senior Reporter
THE Government has so far opened 13 registry offices countrywide where e-passports are being issued as the move to continue easing accessibility of travel documents through decentralisation gathers momentum.
The move is also aimed at decongesting traditional centres and deal away with corruption that had become endemic at most passport offices.
In a statement, the Civil Registry Department said citizens could apply to access the travel document which was introduced in 2021 at decentralised areas in the country
“The Civil Registry Department wishes to advise its valued clients that the issuance of e-passports is done at the following registry offices countrywide, Harare Passport Registry, Bulawayo Provincial Registry, Chinhoyi, Gwanda, Gweru, Lupane, Marondera Provincial Registry offices, Beitbridge, Chitungwiza, Hwange, Murehwa, Mazowe and Zvishavane District Registry,” they noted.
The Civil Registry Department said the public could apply for their electronic documents from the mentioned centres provided they have their original birth certificate, national identity document (ID), and marriage certificate (where applicable).
They outlined the various categories of e-passports and the costs.
“The Civil Registry Department offers the following e-passport categories, ordinary passport US$120 issued after seven (7) working days. The emergency or express passport for US$220 issued after 48 hours.”
They expressed their commitment to serving the country’s citizens saying the offices do not limit the number of people during normal working hours.
“The Civil Registry Department is committed to improving service delivery in line with Vision 2030 through decentralising of services so that no one and no place is left behind,” they said.
More than 600 000 e-passports have been issued since last year clearing a 200 000 backlog that had accumulated from 2009.
The Government has been on a drive to decentralise and computerise registry sub-offices for easy accessibility by the citizens with the registry department indicating that women form the majority of those applying for travel documents more than males.
The Government has, since the beginning of the year, set out measures to ensure there is easy access to travel documents for citizens also ensuring that there is the elimination of person-to-person interaction in an effort to weed out corruption that had become rife in the department nationwide.
Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Permanent Secretary Dr Gerald Gwinji said recently that the integration and digitalisation of the passport applications and all line departments was ideal for reducing chances of manipulation caused by rogue officials.
The public has also been warned not to engage or entertain touts that had become a common feature outside the registry office purporting to assist them in securing the documents easier saying they would be conned of their money.
Zimbabwe is one of the few countries in Africa that is producing and issuing electronic passport to keep abreast with global trends of having biometric data-based identity and travel documents. — @NyembeziMu
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