30 Jul 2017

Serowe region deputy immigration officer, Ms Kgaiso Mpeo has confirmed that her office is experiencing hiccups in issuing of passports as their production machines are experiencing problems at headquarters in Gaborone.

 In an interview, Ms Mpeo said despite the production challenges, her office was still receiving passport applications.

Ms Mpeo said the production of passport had not only affected her station, but the whole country.

She said her office only renders services that dot not require the attention of immigration head office in Gaborone.

“Under normal circumstances, the passport takes three to five days to arrive back from production office, but right now three weeks has passed without any production,” she revealed.

In case of emergency, Ms Mpeo explained that necessary arrangements would be made for those people who need emergency assistance such as for medical reasons.  

“So far, we have not received any emergency case, but if it occurs something will be mapped out to help such applicants,” she said.

She further said travelling documents may be issued if they were travelling to places that allow temporary documents.

She explained that they would assess each case on its merit.

Ms Mpeo appealed to the public to be patient because her office was also awaiting response from the production unit in Gaborone. ENDS