Zimbabwe: Online Border Systems to Improve Efficiency

Zimbabwe is working towards introducing computerised and online border management systems at all entry points to improve efficiency, eliminate errors, reduce human interface and curb potential corruption.

Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe toured the Immigration Department unit at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport yesterday to assess progress made so far.

“We need to implement the integrated computerised system which the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage has embarked on which includes those in the civil registry, Zimbabwe Republic Police and the Immigration Department.

“We are here at Immigration, where we have started working on the online border management system. Most of the hardware is here; what is only outstanding are e-gates. The systems are now in the final stage.”

Minister Kazembe confirmed that the online border management system would be rolled out across all border posts, a process which was expected to be completed by year end.

“We have installed computers and scanners, everything is in place. The system is now working. There are no more queues at the arrivals and departures’ points,” he said.

The system is able to match an individual’s face together with what is on the passport.

“You can actually tell that this is the correct person who is travelling,” the Minister said.

“I am impressed with the work in progress and the system is already operational. The system is already working, but there are few areas that they are still fixing”.

The online system is meant to ensure that everything is automated to improve efficiency.

“We don’t want to see a lot of queues here. The systems will be installed at all the country’s borders to ensure efficiency. We want to move away from the manual system,” Minister Kazembe said.