Zimbabwean In South Africa Petitions Against High Passport Fees
Takudzwa Muchenje, a Zimbabwean citizen living in South Africa, has launched a petition challenging the exorbitant price of obtaining a passport from the Zimbabwean government’s consulate offices in Johannesburg.
The petition was initiated after the Zimbabwean government opened a passport processing centre at its consulate in Johannesburg and set the passport fee at $270 (R4,900).
In comparison, an ordinary passport collected within 7 days in Zimbabwe costs $170 – $100 less than the amount charged at the Johannesburg consulate.
According to NewZimbabwe.com, Muchenje’s petition, which the publication has seen, argues that the higher fees at the South African consulate place an undue financial burden on Zimbabweans living abroad who need to obtain or renew their passports. Reads the petition:
We are facing a critical issue that demands immediate attention and action. The recent increase in passport fees by the Zimbabwean Government has placed an undue burden on many of us living in South Africa.
The cost of obtaining a passport has soared to R4,900, making it nearly impossible for the average Zimbabwean to afford it.
Many Zimbabweans in South Africa are already struggling to make ends meet. The current economic situation means that even basic necessities are hard to come by. Adding exorbitant passport fees only exacerbates our difficulties.
Having a passport opens up opportunities for work, education, and better living conditions. By making passports unaffordable, the government is effectively closing the door on these opportunities.
Access to documentation is a human right. Just like a birth certificate, a passport is crucial for identity and movement. It should be accessible to all, not just a privileged few.
Estimates suggest that around 3 million Zimbabweans have migrated to South Africa in recent years, driven by the country’s prolonged economic challenges that have led to a surge in emigration, often referred to as the “great trek” down south.
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