Staff Reporter

Government has urged the public to dismiss speculations concerning the issuance of travel documents indicating that the Civil Registration Department is currently experiencing a technical fault.

Speaking through a Press Statement yesterday, the Registrar-General Henry Machiri informed the public that the Civil Registry Department was working around the clock to restore service.

“The Civil Registry Department wishes to inform its valued clients and stakeholders that the Department is currently experiencing challenges in the issuance of vital civil registration and travel documents due to a technical fault.

“Our technicians are working tirelessly to rectify the situation and members of the public are urged to remain calm and bear with us during this time. We sincerely apologize for inconveniences caused by the development which we are working around the clock to address” said Machiri.

Machiri highlighted that the Civil Registry Department in collaboration with their partner, Garsu Pasaulis (GP) have made significant improvements on the issuance of electronic passports (e-passports) and since January 2022, a total of 140 000 passports have been issued. Machiri further said that the e-passport had been successfully cascaded to Bulawayo, Lupane, Chitungwiza, Murewa and Hwange adding that the project was completed in all the provinces.

Meanwhile, the mobile registration is underway and to date, more than 2 000 000 civil registration documents namely birth certificates, death certificates and national identity documents have been issued. The programme is expected to be completed by 30 September 2022.