This follows press reports emanating from Zimbabwe that the country's Registrar General, Tobaiwa Mudede had directed that with immediate effect adults applying for passports would pay US $ 220 (P1 320) while minors would be required to pay USD$120 (P720). "The changes have the backing of President Robert Mugabe's cabinet," reports ZimOnline. Whilst the adoption of the US dollar was only temporary and meant to raise foreign currency to import production materials, it has attracted condemnation from Zimbabweans living in Botswana and some political commentators.
They condemn this as an unnecessary move which would also affect neighbouring countries like Botswana. Samson Muumba, chief executive and chairman of Marknorth Corporation said yesterday that through the new move, the Zimbabwe government "is trying to stop people from traveling to places of their choice." He stressed: "Look, even with me based here in Francistown, I just cannot afford to pay US$ 220. The economy of Zimbabwe makes it impossible for people to afford that much.
