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Say Goodbye to Queues: Government To Launch Online Platform for Passports and ID Cards

Say Goodbye to Queues: Government To Launch Online Platform for Passports and ID Cards

Government through Civil Registry Department (CRD) is set to launch an online platform for passport and national identity card(id) applications. The initiative comes alongside the ongoing upgrade of the Zimbabwe Population Registry System (ZPRS) database. ZPRS will be responsible for storing and managing demographic information of Zimbabwean citizens, which is overseen by the CRD.

Digital Transformation for Enhanced Services

The government has obtained cutting-edge equipment, such as servers to the digital migration process. This will push for the upcoming launch of the online application platform for civic documents. Minister of Home Affairs has emphasized that this project marks the second phase of the digital transformation.

“This is the second phase of the same project that has resulted in the efficiency of e-passport production,” stated Kazembe Kazembe. “The servers are already in the country, and this is work in progress. Once this is done, it then means the services the department offers will be online.”

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Extending Access to Rural Areas

To ensure inclusivity and accessibility across the nation, the CRD plans to deploy the same system in rural areas. A pilot project is currently underway in collaboration with traditional chiefs, who will play a vital role in birth notifications and initial registration processes. Chiefs will have the capacity to register children born at home and subsequently submit the necessary forms to district offices. The program aims to equip chiefs with modern gadgets like iPads, facilitating the digitization of birth records and improving efficiency in the registration process.

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Conclusion

Two years ago, Minister Kazembe Kazembe immersed himself in the corruption spawned by long queues at the Passport Office. Now, armed with firsthand knowledge, he vigorously advocates for the CRD’s digital transformation to revolutionize application and registration procedures. This transformation will provide citizens with convenient and efficient services while bolstering data management and integration among government departments.