Senate questions home affairs on passport allocation

Lesotho continues to battle with the increasing demand for passports, a challenge exacerbated by its inadequate capacity to process applications efficiently.

As the country strives to facilitate international travel for its citizens, the backlog of requests has not only frustrated individuals eager to explore opportunities abroad, but it has also raised concerns about the country’s ability to manage its citizen’s rights to travel without delay.

During a visit to the Lesotho home affairs ministry yesterday, members of the Senate raised pressing concerns regarding the ongoing delays in the issuance of travel documents, particularly passports.

The inquiry highlighted the frustration experienced by citizens as they await essential documentation needed for international travel, work opportunities, and family reunifications.

The acting director of the home affairs ministry, Ntisa Mochesela, revealed that the current capacity for passport production stands at a mere 50 passports per day. This figure starkly contrasts with the high demand from the public, leading to significant backlogs and extended waiting periods for applicants.

Alarmingly, Mochesela noted that there are still passports from the previous year that have not been allocated to their rightful owners, further compounding the issue.

The delegation of Senators pressed the acting director on the rationale behind continuing to accept new applications despite the evident strain on resources. They questioned whether it might be more prudent to suspend new applications until the existing backlog is addressed.

In response, the director emphasized the necessity of allowing applicants to submit their requests.

He argued that many individuals depend on obtaining passports for critical reasons, such as employment opportunities or urgent family matters. Stopping the application process, Mochesela suggested, could result in lost chances for those who urgently require travel documents.