Joseph Madzimure, Senior Reporter


Zimbabwe is implementing computerized and online border management systems at all entry points to enhance efficiency, eliminate errors, minimize human interaction, and mitigate potential corruption risks.

Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, Kazembe Kazembe, conducted an inspection of the Immigration Department unit at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport to evaluate the progress of the initiative.

"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 affirmed the impending implementation of the online border management system across all border posts, with an anticipated completion date by the end of the current year.

“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 capable of matching an individual’s facial features with the image on their 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 purpose of the online system is to automate processes and enhance operational 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.