By Patricia Banda
The Passport Office has printed 7,500 passports from January 2023 to date .
Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security Permanent Secretary Principle Research and Planning DICKSON MATEMBO says out of this number five thousand has been issued while 2,5000 are pending collection.
Mr. MATEMBO said this to ZNBC News today, when he visited the passport office this morning to respond to complaints to delays by the office to issue passports by those applying for the documents.
He attributed the delays and long queues at the passport office to the system that has been undergoing upgrading .
Mr MATEMBO has since appealed to members of the public to visit the office and collect their documents.
He has advised members of the public to stop using agents to have their passports processed but instead follow the laid down procedure of 14 days .
Mr MATEMBO has however warned that of any of the officers at the passport office is found wanting with corruption, displinary action will be taken.
And, Mr MATEMBO has clarified that there are no delays in processing birth certificates the process is done on time.
He notes that most parents are not coming forward to submit details due to lack of knowledge .
He also disclosed that plans are under way to relocate the office to a bigger office once funds are available.
Mr MATEMBO adds that the population has grown from independence all the documents needs to be put in a place that is spacious.
CREDIT: ZNBC
