Africa-Press – Lesotho. Maseru Passport Office has on Monday morning seen long queues with applicants complaining of slow services as some will this week be returning to their respective workplaces in South Africa.
Speaking in an interview with the Agency, one Mr. Tebello Mosololi said he slept outside the passport office gate on Sunday night with the hope to access services on time but had been queuing outside the gate for about four hours.
“I’m already discouraged based on the long queues inside the passport premises coupled with slow services” he said, expressing dissatisfaction over mineworkers who were given first priority yet they were also expected to report at work this week by their employers.
On the other hand, Ms. Limakatso Matlali urged the department of Home Affairs to improve services as it is a known fact that the majority of Basotho apply for passports during this period of the year.
“We are aware that services are rendered even on weekends but they are slow” she added.
Department of Home Affairs Public Relations Officer Mrs. ‘Marelebohile Mothibeli said passport services were rendered to the people as early as 06;00 am reminding that it is peak days as majority of people will soon be returning to their workplaces in South Africa hence long queues were expected.
“We were ready for this situation hence the extension of working hours and weekend shifts to ensure effective service delivery,” she added, reminding that although the majority came to apply for passports, some came to collect them and others were going to access immigration services.
Meanwhile, the department introduced weekend shifts last month in a bid to reduce long queues and waiting periods amongst others.
A normal passport costs M130.00, an urgent one M630. 00 and a lost passport is charged a penalty of M300.00 while a destroyed one is charged M430.00.
