The Zimbabwean government on Thursday commissioned a newly refurbished building in Johannesburg, South Africa, where it has started processing e-passports for its citizens residing in that country.
The official opening ceremony was attended by several high-level Zimbabwean officials, including Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Ambassador Frederick Shava, Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe, and Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe. Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to South Africa, David Hamadziripi, was also present.
South Africa was represented at the event by International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola.
In his remarks at the ceremony, Minister Shava stated that the Zimbabwean government is committed to improving and modernizing the country’s public infrastructure, including its diplomatic and consular properties abroad. He said:
This comprehensive orientation extends beyond the geographical bounds of Zimbabwe as encapsulated in our country’s foreign policy thrust of ‘reaffirmation, engagement and re-engagement’.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, under my stewardship, is thus mandated by His Excellency the President to place at the centre of its priorities, the pursuit of friendship with all nations, economic diplomacy and the welfare of the Zimbabwean diaspora community across the world.
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwean Consulate in Johannesburg, which houses the e-passport centre, recently announced a significant change in its payment policy for e-passport services.
In a public notice, the Consulate said with effect from Monday, 22 July 2024, it would begin accepting electronic card payments for the e-passport fee.
The fee will be charged in the Rand equivalent of US$170, calculated based on the previous week’s average USD/ZAR exchange rate. It said:
Please be advised that with effect from Monday, 22 July 2024, the Consulate will start accepting electronic card payments for the e-passport fee, i.e. the Rand equivalent of USD170, calculated on the basis of the previous week’s average USD/ZAR exchange rate.
However, the administrative fee of R300.00 will still continue to be paid exclusively in cash. The above measure has been introduced for public safety and convenience.
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