200 000 passport backlog cleared, 150 000 more iss...

200 000 passport backlog cleared, 150 000 more issued

Zim Now Writer

The Registrar-General’s Office has to date issued 350 000 e-passports, clearing the 200 000 backlog the country had by September this year.

Plans are also underway to open other e-passport centres in Chinhoyi, Marondera, Zvishavane and Mutare. At the moment, e-passport centres are at eight other centres — Bulawayo, Gweru, Hwange, Lupane, Beitbridge, Chitungwiza, Murehwa, and Chinhoyi.

Registrar-General Mr Henry Machiri said: “Since we started the e-passport programme on January 18, I can confirm that we have issued over 350 000 passports.

“We successfully cleared the passport backlog in September this year. “We asked all those who had applied for passports to go and collect their documents. We are happy with the progress we have made so far, and we are looking forward to expanding the e-passport enrolment programme to all the districts countrywide.

“We have plans to expand to Chinhoyi, Marondera, Mutare, going down to all the districts.

“Besides expanding offices in the country, Government will also be establishing passport enrolment centres at selected embassies across the world.”