Passport Frenzy Grips Bulawayo as Registry Struggles to Cope

The Bulawayo Civil Registry Offices were a hive of activity yesterday as scores of people, including Zimbabweans based in the diaspora, jostled to obtain identity and travel documents, taking advantage of the festive season. An ordinary passport costs US$170 and is obtainable within 7-14 working days, while the emergency passport costs US$270 and is obtainable within 3-4 days.

A Zimpapers news crew observed long, winding queues stretching outside the Civil Registry premises, with hundreds of applicants waiting patiently to be served. Security guards struggled to maintain order as the numbers swelled, although senior citizens were prioritized in line with government policy.

Among those in the queues were diaspora-based Zimbabweans taking advantage of the festive holidays to process travel documents, as well as parents applying for passports for children hoping to visit relatives abroad during the school break. "This is the only time we get to be off work and free from other commitments, so we take the opportunity to sort out our passports," said one resident waiting in the queue.

A security guard on duty said the surge in applications had caught many by surprise. "To my surprise, on December 1, there was hardly anyone here. Now, as Christmas approaches, people are flocking in large numbers," he said.

Some applicants expressed concern over the pace of service, fearing they might not be attended to after waiting for hours. "I don't know if I will be served today. I have been here since 6AM," said one applicant.

Registrar-General Mr. Henry Machiri assured the public that the department was prepared for the seasonal surge. "The festive season is traditionally our busiest period, and we were expecting an increase in numbers again this year. There is no need for the public to panic," he said.

Mr. Machiri attributed the surge in applications to industry shutdowns and school holidays, but stressed that the Civil Registry Department was coping well. "The increase is normally experienced up to the first week of January. We are on top of the situation, and everyone who applies will be served. Those applying for passports will get them on time," he said.

The Civil Registry Department has implemented various measures to improve service delivery, including decentralizing the issuance of vital civil registration documents to 10 provinces, 62 districts, and 206 sub-offices across the country.

The government introduced a new e-passport system in December 2021, significantly improving efficiency and clearing long-standing backlogs through digital enrollment and enhanced security features