Staff Writer
President Emmerson Mnangagwa will tomorrow launch electronic passports, marking the beginning of a process which will do away with physical issuance of the travel document.
The adoption of the e-passport is expected to help with the expeditious clearing of the backlog which the Registrar General`s office is currently trying to contain.
In a statement, the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage said they have partnered with Garsu Pasaulis, a Lithuanian company, for the production and calibration of the passports.
“As a state party to Regional and International Conventions, Protocols and Treaties relating to the issuance of civil and travel documents. Zimbabwe`s introduction of the e-passport resonates with international best practices,” the statement read.
The e-passport is set to have enhanced security features.
“The e-passport will protect the privacy of our citizens given the embedded features which protect against identity theft and counterfeiting of travel documents. Apart from reasserting individual rights to privacy, the introduction of the e-passport will also provide enhanced security standards at our various ports of entry and exit,” the Home Affairs Ministry said.
Those whose passports are expiring will not be issued physical passports, instead they will be given the new e-passports.
Zimbabwe will become the first country in Southern Africa to adopt an e-passport.
Among its advantages, an e-passport allows holders to enjoy self check-in at ports of entry, which is more appropriate in the pandemic circumstances the world finds itself.
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