We recently received an email from an individual concerned about the validity of Zimbabwean passports issued by the Registrar General’s Passport Office. As per the email below, a friend of the individual was arrested and sentenced for being in possession of a fraudulent passport:
It appears that some passports being issued by the Zimbabwean passport office to Zimbabwean nationals are not valid, despite a proper application being made and everything done “above board” as far as the applicant is concerned. A friend recently tried to use their passport for the first time and was detained by the authorities as the passport had certain “fake” aspects to it. They were accused by the UK authorities of deliberately obtaining a false passport and, as they were unable to prove otherwise are now serving a prison sentence.
My question is how can innocent passport applicants have their passports checked for validity prior to use in order to avoid such prosecutions? Also for people falsely accused of obtaining a false passport, is it possible to gather any evidence of their innocence, given that any corruption within the passport office seems not to be taken into account in such cases?
A number of people have fallen victim to passport counterfeiters working within the Registrar General’s Office and unknowingly travelled using this documentation. As can be seen from above, this can cause a few issues for the innocent travelling public. That being said, does anyone have answers to the questions asked in the email?
- How can people verify the authenticity of a Zimbabwean passport?
- How can individuals charged with unknowingly obtaining a false passport prove their innocence?
If you know the answers to these questions, please post them in the comments section below.
I want to know if my passport ,if is out i apply it on 09 Fea 2011. My ID No is 00-00000 X 00 please can u cherck for me. I m Abiot &^%$#
Abiot, you will have to approach the office through which you lodged your application in order to find the status of the application.
How can I find out if Zimbabwe passport is valid?
I apply my 3 month passport and after going to take it they said they failed to enter my details .So far how long will it take for me to collect it
Depends where you are. If you are out the country, they give you a receipt that is stamped in my case zim embassy London. Then when the passport is out at makombe building they give you a receipt as well this will mean that on total you would have 2 receipts. Without these receipt it could mean that some people might have paid them .
Email me for more info…..
Hi how do I confirm if my passport is still valid I have misplaced it with all the moving and all have now is the number. who do I contact. Ive been in South Africa for more than 40years have been married to a south African for over 30 years and I my mother cant remember if she applied for a south African id for me or not. (yes shes still alive but is in her late 70’s and cant remember much).
Hi Chantel,
Thanks for stopping by. Please refer to the following as it may help in getting your question answered: http://www.livingzimbabwe.com/2014/11/can-find-information-zimbabwe-passport-application.html
Is the green ID stil working the paper one
We are not 100% sure if it still works. You could try and get in touch with the Registrar General’s office. They may be able to point you in the right direction. Go here to see how to get in touch with them: http://www.livingzimbabwe.com/can-find-information-zimbabwe-passport-application/
hie l have applied my passport so need to book a ticket now so does the recept habe the passport number
Hi Makaita, not sure what your question is? Could you please expand on it and we may be able to point you in the right direction.
What are the features to find out between fake passport and orignal passport
Hi Raphel, thanks for your question. That is a question that would be best answered by the RG office.