Govt says not phasing out passports in January

Government and the Immigration Department say the current passport will not be phased out in January 2015 as suggested by reports on social media.

In recent weeks, social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter have been awash with speculation that government plans to phase out current passports as a way of raising domestic revenue amid donor aid freeze.

But Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security Paul Chibingu yesterday dismissed the reports, saying nothing of that sort will happen.

He said: “Those reports are being spread by people who do not wish government well. The truth is that there will be no change of passports.”

The reports come against the background of the hike in the cost of a passport from K15 100 to K48 500.

Chibingu said the fees apply to those applying for new passports or those whose passports expired.

Chief immigration officer Hudson Mankhwala also dismissed the reports that his office has received communication about passports phasing out.

He said: “In fact, I do not know what reasons would be there for phasing out the current passports because they have all the necessary security features. I am not aware of that communication.”

In 2010, the passports were phased out and the current one, whose fees increased from K8 000 to K15 100, were introduced.