By Ncaba Ntshakala
The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued a public apology following significant disruptions in the production of passports and ID cards due to technical failures.
In a statement issued by Principal Secretary Nhlanhla Nxumalo, the Ministry outlined the challenges it is facing, particularly the breakdown of both passport and ID card production printers, which has resulted in widespread service delays across the country.
Regarding passport production, Nxumalo acknowledged the malfunction of the printers, which has led to a backlog and a slowdown in the processing of passport applications.
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He noted that this technical issue has impacted the Ministry’s ability to efficiently issue passports which has caused frustration for individuals eagerly awaiting their documents.
“We understand the inconvenience and frustration that this situation may have caused for individuals eagerly awaiting their passports,” Nxumalo stated where he further assured the public that efforts are underway to address the problem promptly.
The Ministry said that it expects to resolve the backlog in passport processing soon, allowing for the timely issuance of pending passports.
In addition, the Ministry added that it is working to find a permanent solution to ensure the reliability and efficiency of the passport printing system moving forward.
The statement further requested patience and cooperation from the public during this period of disruption.
The Ministry made emphasis on its commitment to overcoming the issue and restoring normal passport services as quickly as possible.
In a related matter, the Ministry also announced the temporary suspension of ID card production due to a breakdown in the ID printer system.
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This has further compounded the disruptions to services, especially for emaSwati requiring new or replacement ID cards.
Urgent requests for ID cards can still be directed to the Ministry’s offices, where special acknowledgments and alternative arrangements are being made to meet identification needs during the downtime.
Nxumalo assured emaSwati that the Ministry is actively working to resolve these technical issues and restore normal ID production operations as soon as possible.
Moreover, the Ministry asserted that it is currently exploring alternative solutions to maintain essential services during this period of disruption, with the goal of minimizing inconvenience to citizens.
“We appreciate your patience as we address these challenges and aim to resume full production soon,” Nxumalo stated.
