17 August 2022
STATEMENT ON THE ISSUANCE OF VITAL CIVIL REGISTRATION AND TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
The Civil Registry Department in Zimbabwe has informed that the Department is currently experiencing challenges in the issuance of vital civil registration and travel documents due to a technical fault.
It further informs that its technicians are working tirelessly to rectify the situation and members of the public are urged to remain calm and bear with them during this time.
Members of the public are also advised to disregard messages circulating on various social media platforms. Any information regarding this matter will be communicated by the Department of Civil Registry through its formal channels.
The Department has regretted the inconveniences caused by this development and has assured Zimbabweans that the situation is being rectified.
In addition, the Civil Registry Department took the opportunity to update members of the public that it is collaborating with its partner Garsu Pasaulip (GP) and has made significant improvements in the issuance of electronic passports (e-passports). It has also advised that since January 2022, a total of 140 000 passports have been issued, which has greatly reduced the passport issuance backlog. The Civil Registry Department further informed that the e-passport project has also been successfully cascaded to Bulawayo, Lupane, Chitungwiza, Murewa and Hwange. Recently, the project was also introduced in Gweru and Beitbridge. Upon completion of the Gweru and Beitbridge e-passport projects, all provinces will be covered by end of October 2022.
In July 2022, the Civil Registry Department indicated that it resumed clearance of the passport backlog which was 176 000. The Department further informed that the backlog has now been reduced to 80 000 as of 10 August 2022 and expects it (the backlog) to be cleared by end of September 2022.
The Department further advised that the mobile identity registration exercise is also currently underway and that to date, more than 2 000 000 civil registration documents; that is birth certificates, death certificates and national identity documents have been issued. It expects the mobile programme to be completed by 30 September 2022.
17 August 2022
Washington DC
USA
