Cash-strapped Zimbabwe has virtually stopped issuing passports and identity cards after running out of funds to import ink and special paper, officials said on Tuesday.
Scores of dejected people thronged the registrar general’s office and walked out after officials said they had suspended issuing passports, witnesses said on Tuesday.
The registrar general’s office processes and issues issues travel documents and identity papers.
Officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said they had run out of ink and paper used for passports and were only issuing urgent travel permits printed on ordinary paper for those needing emergency treatment overseas.
A parliamentary committee report obtained on Tuesday said the registrar general’s office, reeling under a $1,7-million deficit, had a backlog of 300 000 passports and was processing only 20 passports daily.
The report said the ”department was heavily underfunded”, adding: ”The issuance of identity cards has therefore been suspended.”
Last month, Finance Minister Herbert Murerwa accorded the registrar general’s office Z$27-billion ($108 000) but the committee said the money would be used up by March 2007.
The department now takes 19 months to process a passport, the report said.
The report said that the department requires $17,9-million for computerisation, equipment and spares to issue passports and for its passports and national registration departments.
Zimbabwe is in the midst of an economic crisis, characterised not only by hyperinflation but also soaring poverty levels, unemployment and crippling shortages of fuel and basic goods. — Sapa-AFP