To put this situation into perspective, here’s a bit of background:

The Chronicle last week stated that passports that were applied for by the end of February 2019 were ready. The lockdown period was being utilized to clear the backlog of approximately 200 000 passports.

How did such a backlog occur? Well, the problem was attributed to a lack of foreign currency to acquire the materials needed for passport production. Some stated that their passports had been applied for as far back as 2018.

So when news was circulated on social media platforms about passports being ready fro collection, people were excited and some even traveled from far to collect their document. People were disappointed. The Chronicle interviewed a women queued for her passport as she gave the following statement:

“I read Whatsapp messages that said that the passports that had been applied for up to February 2019 were out and we should come and collect. So, i was excited and came to collect my passport that i applied for in June 2019. But when I arrived here i was told the passport is not yet out so its very confusing.

So I’m really disappointed as I have wasted a lot of money coming here for nothing. I thought the information on Whatsapp was authentic. And why would someone spread false information on such issues? What do they stand to benefit?”

Some fast thinkers tried to take advantage of the situation claiming that they could help people get their passports. However, Mrs Jane Peters the provincial registrar, warned people to be careful of such swindlers as they do not have officials operating outside the offices.

An official registry who was present at the scene told the Chronicle that

“I think this is a combination of two factors, some read social media messages and were misled into believing that their passports were out. But others followed authentic information. A lot of people walked away with their passports today. But members of the public should understand that we cannot serve them all at one go.”

Some disgruntled and appalled citizens took the liberty of comparing our systems to the other countries where people never queue for passports as they do here.

What are your views on this subject?

Let us know in the comment section below.

The post The passport dilemma: Are they out or are they not? appeared first on Provoker Magazine.