Over a million Zimbabweans living in South Africa can now apply for new passports at the embassy in that country, officials announced on Tuesday.
Home affairs secretary Raphael Faranisi said the training of consulate staff who will process passport applications is ongoing at the embassy in Pretoria.
The move would ease the difficulties faced by Zimbabweans in South Africa who would otherwise have to travel home to acquire passports.
“The process of issuing the e-passports is already ongoing. As I speak, the e-passports are already being processed and there is training. Once the consultants leave, our consulate staff can take care of any problems that emerge,” he said.
South Africa is home to the largest community of Zimbabwean migrants, which some unofficial estimates say could be as many as two million.
Faranisi said they also hope to provide passport issuing services in the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates and the United States.
Locally, passport centres have been opened in Guruve, Gwanda, Gweru, Lupane, Marondera, Beitbridge, Chitungwiza, Hwange, Mazowe, Murehwa, Zvishavan and Chinhoyi to add to the facilities at Chiwashira Muchecheterwa Building in Harare and at provincial and district offices in Bulawayo.
Source | ZimLive
