Flashy lifestyles open Byo passport office staff t...

Flashy lifestyles open Byo passport office staff to probe

Zim Now Writer

Bulawayo Passport Office staff have opened themselves to investigations following reports that some of them owned fleets of vehicles and were building mansions despite earning around US$200 per month.

Following reports of alleged corruption, government has dispatched a team of investigators to the office with acting Registrar-General Henry Machiri confirming that indeed investigations were underway.

A source close to the goings-on said a team had been sent from Harare and spent one week at the Bulawayo passport Office probing the allegations of corruption.

“It remains to be seen what their recommendations will be, but what we know is that more birth certificates with changed dates of birth and names were discovered, although no arrests or charges have been laid to any passport officer as yet,” said the source.

The source said a lot was happening at the office where the officers can change the age of passport applicants to enable them to qualify for United Kingdom visas.

“One of the drivers, who is alleged to be the one who helps clients who want to go to the United Kingdom is said to have a fleet of five cars despite the fact that he is getting a salary of US$200. One of the bosses, who were promoted two years ago built himself a mansion in one of the leafy suburbs,” the source added.

Sources added that this only came to light after the syndicate had processed an application for an applicant who once applied using his original documents.