Government Set to Introduce Passports Online Applications

Government has said it is moving to computerise the home affairs department by enabling individuals to apply for passports online so as to improve efficiency and eradicate corruption.

Speaking during the tour of Mashonaland West’s provincial registry records offices and police station, Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe said his ministry is going to ensure that the office of the registrar was computerised to eliminate unnecessary processes that lead to winding queues and backlogs and also avoid corruption.

“Technology helps eradicate corruption since face-to-face interactions are removed.

“In most cases, officers take advantage of face-to-face interactions which facilitate dubious relationships that lead to corruption,” he said.

The issue of passport processing has caused havoc from citizens who are failing to apply at the Central Registry due to long queues and a backlog in the department for a long time now.

Currently, the department of the registry is processing passport applications submitted around mid-September 2018 going back.