Cleaners exposed in passport racket

Zim Now Writer

A shocking scandal has rocked the Zimbabwean government as details emerged of a scheme involving passport officials and foreign nationals. Court proceedings revealed how Cameroonian citizens were able to obtain Zimbabwean passports fraudulently with the assistance of corrupt employees from the Registrar General’s office.

According to the investigating officer, Christopher Lloyd Tarenyika, three cleaners working at the passport office played a pivotal role in facilitating the illegal acquisition of the passports. These cleaners allegedly guided the Cameroonian nationals through the various stages of the application process, helping them navigate the system despite their lack of knowledge of the local languages.

The court heard that the scheme was orchestrated by a person known only as "Tafadzwa" or "Mai Tayara," who conspired with the Cameroonian nationals to obtain fake birth certificates and national identity cards. These fraudulent documents were then used to apply for Zimbabwean passports.

The accused, including supervisors, processing officers, and cleaners, appeared in court charged with criminal abuse of office. The prosecution alleges that the officials involved failed to verify the information provided on the passport application forms and birth certificates, despite the glaring discrepancies.

The scandal has raised serious concerns about the integrity of the Zimbabwean passport system.