The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Frederick Makamure Shava has urged Zimbabwean citizens based in different parts of South Africa to acquire official documents to regularise their stay in the neighbouring country.
Shava was speaking at the official opening of the new consulate building of Zimbabwe in Johannesburg, situated in Bruma.
The new consulate will be issuing passports, including e-passports, and birth certificates to Zimbabweans residing in South Africa. Said Shava (via IOL):
On June 18, 2024, in this building, we commenced the rollout of the e-passport delivery platform to our nationals abroad and I am happy that we started in South Africa.
I am pleased to inform you that the system trial run that we conducted on e-passports was a tremendous success.
The e-passport processing centre housed in this building enables Zimbabwean nationals here in South Africa to apply for and obtain this critical document much more conveniently, and quickly – without the middleman.
The trial run ends today with the official launch of the project. The centre has successfully processed a total of 2,146 e-passport applications.
Fellow Zimbabweans in South Africa, I urge you to access these services and ensure that you have the required documentation to reside and work in this country.
By respecting and abiding by the laws of this country, you will be contributing immensely to the good name and image of Zimbabwe, here and beyond, particularly, given the ties between Zimbabwe and the Republic of South Africa.
The newly launched chancery building was handed over to Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to South Africa, David Hamadziripi.
The centre is managed by Zimbabwe’s Consul General in Johannesburg, Eria Phiri.
Hamadziripi said Zimbabwe’s Consulate in Cape Town is being renovated, and would also be producing e-passports in the future. He said:
I therefore invite Zimbabweans in South Africa to come to the consulate (in Joburg) and apply for birth certificates and passports, and thus ensure that you have the minimum requirements to regularise your stay in this country.
South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, in a message delivered by Ambassador Tebogo Seokolo, Deputy Director General responsible for Africa, said:
We welcome the launch of the e-passport processing centre in our country, as one of the five centres around the world.
We believe that the launch of this centre will enhance the movement of people and goods, as well as services between our neighbouring countries.
We meet at the seminal moment in South African history when we are celebrating 30 years since the dawn of our democracy in 1994.
I am equally pleased that this year we are also celebrating 30 years since the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between our two countries.
Our frequent and consistent interactions bode well with the resolve to continue nurturing our existing relations.
To this effect, the opening of this chancery is as important to us as much as it is to the people of the Republic of Zimbabwe.
I take this opportunity to congratulate you on the opening of this beautiful property and the launch of the e-passport.
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