Daylight robbery as Zimbabwe pegs e-passport application in South Africa at US$270
All passport applications done in South Africa treated as ‘express’
By Staff Reporter
Zimbabweans living in South Africa will fork out a staggering R4 550 (US$250) plus US$20 application fee per head to obtain a Zimbabwean e-passport, which costs US$170 when one is applying from home.
This comes after the government recently opened an e-passport application centre in Johannesburg ostensibly to ease the burden faced by locals having to travel back home to obtain the document.
However, while partially true, locals feel the cash-strapped Zanu PF led administration is now taking advantage of people’s desperation for the travelling document to rip off citizens.
An ordinary e-passport in Zimbabwe costs US$150 with an additional US$20 levied as application fee.
The document, which is far cheaper in neighbouring countries, is ready within seven days of application.
An express or emergency passport costs US$270 when one is applying in Zimbabwe and takes less in terms of waiting time.
According to a statement issued 26 July 2024, Zimbabwe’s Consul General Eria Phiri, e-passports being applied for on South African soil are treated as express or emergency.
“The ministry of home affairs has directed that all e-passport applications that are processed at the consulate in Johannesburg shall be handled as express/emergency applications,” reads the statement.
The high cost of obtaining a Zimbabwean passport has not deterred millions who need the document to travel abroad to seek employment, treatment as well as purchase products for resale back home.
