New passport fees announced

New passport prices have been announced by government. The new measure is aimed at trying to get more money to clear the backlog that is currently bedevilling the passport office. An ordinary passport which was going for ZWL 53 is now costing ZWL 150. The emergency passport which was costing ZWL 253 is now pegged at ZWL 600. Government is struggling to clear a passport backlog of about 400 000. Cabinet has also approved the availing of over US 6 million and Euro 580 000 to help alleviate the passport crisis.

Minister of home affairs Kazembe Kazembe said whilst the proposed increase is not enough to clear the backlog, having a passport is a human right and the intention of government is not to make a profit out of this. He also said that everything that is used when passports are being made is imported hence the need for treasury to pump out money towards the cause. most people have expressed their struggles to obtain the proposed amount, most have said it is a step in the right direction and will see things moving swiftly at the passport office.

People have had to queue for hours in order to submit particulars in order to obtain a passport. An emergency passport which is ideally supposed to be issued withing three days is taking months to be availed. This has caused untold suffering and inconvenience to most people who would want to seek medical attention outside the country or attend school.