Residents of Mutare and surrounding areas will no longer need to travel long distances to obtain passports following the commissioning of the new Mutare Provincial Registry Building yesterday.
The facility was officially handed over by the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works to the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage at a ceremony attended by senior government officials and local leaders.
Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe said the registry would significantly improve service delivery.
“This registry office will enhance service delivery, ensure proper documentation and safeguarding of citizens’ records, strengthen national security, and improve economic planning,” he said.
Kazembe added that the facility would bring much-needed convenience to citizens.
“People in Mutare and surrounding areas will now be able to access national documents such as birth certificates, identity cards, marriage certificates, and passports with greater convenience and dignity,” he said.
“The building also boasts a high-powered solar system that will ensure continuous service delivery even during power outages.”
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The minister also announced the decentralisation of e-passport services to Mutare.
“E-passport services are now available to the people of Mutare and surrounding areas,” he said. “These enhanced features will combat fraud and illegal migration while safeguarding the integrity of the immigration system. E-passports can now be accessed at 17 registry offices nationwide.
"The Home Affairs Ministry has also established passport offices beyond Zimbabwe’s borders, including in Johannesburg, South Africa, with plans to open one in the UK and later expand to Australia, Canada, and Botswana.”
Kazembe emphasised that civil registration remained central to governance and development.
“Civil registration is essential for good governance, protecting human rights, and fostering an inclusive society,” he said.
“The registry’s vital statistics and population data will inform policy implementation, development planning, and progress monitoring toward both national and international targets.”
Government officials added that similar infrastructure would soon be constructed in Masvingo and Mashonaland Central provinces, while registry sub-offices are being computerised to allow digital civil registration and online applications.
The project, implemented in partnership with Garsu Pasaulis, was completed in under two years.
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