Clemence Masango
…special
measures for Cyclone Idai victims
measures for Cyclone Idai victims
Shingirai Vambe
HARARE – Registrar
General Clemence Masango has said resources needed to print identity cards and
passports were in short supply, leading to the issuance of paper identity
documents and long delays in processing standard passport applications.
General Clemence Masango has said resources needed to print identity cards and
passports were in short supply, leading to the issuance of paper identity
documents and long delays in processing standard passport applications.
Government
phased out the paper identity document around 2005 after introducing the
instant plastic ID card which is made up of polythene and synthetic material.
phased out the paper identity document around 2005 after introducing the
instant plastic ID card which is made up of polythene and synthetic material.
Prior
to that, the paper ID was a temporary document that an applicant would use
while waiting for the permanent metallic card which took several months to come
out.
to that, the paper ID was a temporary document that an applicant would use
while waiting for the permanent metallic card which took several months to come
out.
TellZim
News secured an interview with Masango to get clarification on the long queues
for IDs and passports as well as to understand why passports that are normally
processed in six weeks are now taking several months.
News secured an interview with Masango to get clarification on the long queues
for IDs and passports as well as to understand why passports that are normally
processed in six weeks are now taking several months.
“Yes
there are long queues at our offices countrywide. People need IDs but resources
are a challenge. The consumables require foreign currency to import yet our
services are charged in local currency. Our personnel are doing all they can to
give optimum services to citizens,” said Masango.
there are long queues at our offices countrywide. People need IDs but resources
are a challenge. The consumables require foreign currency to import yet our
services are charged in local currency. Our personnel are doing all they can to
give optimum services to citizens,” said Masango.
He
said it was the same case with passport paper which has to be imported into the
country using foreign currency which is scarce.
said it was the same case with passport paper which has to be imported into the
country using foreign currency which is scarce.
The
ordinary passport, which costs $53, normally gets processed in six weeks but it
is now taking up to seven months and more. Some people who spoke to TellZim News
said they applied for passports in June last year but were still waiting.
ordinary passport, which costs $53, normally gets processed in six weeks but it
is now taking up to seven months and more. Some people who spoke to TellZim News
said they applied for passports in June last year but were still waiting.
At
$53 and coming out in few days, the emergency passport is too expensive for
most citizens.
$53 and coming out in few days, the emergency passport is too expensive for
most citizens.
On
plans to decentralise passport applications to the district, Masango said it
was government’s goal to increase convenience but resources were not
permitting.
plans to decentralise passport applications to the district, Masango said it
was government’s goal to increase convenience but resources were not
permitting.
“We
want people to apply for passports at district level but that move requires a
lot of money and equipment; all the cameras, computers and office space,” said
Masango.
want people to apply for passports at district level but that move requires a
lot of money and equipment; all the cameras, computers and office space,” said
Masango.
He
said he was, however, pleased that his department had put in place plans like
satellite offices to assist survivors of Cyclone Idai to get new copies of
their lost identity documents.
said he was, however, pleased that his department had put in place plans like
satellite offices to assist survivors of Cyclone Idai to get new copies of
their lost identity documents.
“We
are there to assist people get burial orders for their deceased loved ones as
quickly as possible. Those that have lost their identity particulars will also
get them without delay because we have instructed teams in Chimanimani and
Chipinge to be ready for real work.
are there to assist people get burial orders for their deceased loved ones as
quickly as possible. Those that have lost their identity particulars will also
get them without delay because we have instructed teams in Chimanimani and
Chipinge to be ready for real work.
“Our
office has all the information regarding everyone in Zimbabwe so people must
not worry. We have details on everyone in the main server,” he said
office has all the information regarding everyone in Zimbabwe so people must
not worry. We have details on everyone in the main server,” he said
