Ministry of Foreign Affairs has cancelled a total of 701 diplomatic and service passports as part of a national effort to enforce proper use of official travel documents.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the Ministry said the move follows a recall notice issued earlier in the year, directing certain former officials and associated individuals to return their passports. Despite public notices on 15 January and 10 March 2025, many of the passports were not returned.
Of the cancelled documents, 341 are diplomatic passports and 360 are service passports. The Ministry confirmed that all affected passports have been placed on a stop list and are no longer valid for international travel.
The recall affects a wide range of former officeholders, including:
- Former ministers and their spouses
- Ex-members of parliament
- Retired justices
- Former regional ministers and metropolitan, municipal and district chief executives
- Past board members and officials associated with the National Cathedral Project
- Former non-career ambassadors and their dependents
Religious and traditional leaders, businesspeople, and other former public servants not currently in active service were also listed among those expected to comply.
The Ministry warned that anyone found using a cancelled passport would have it confiscated, with enforcement measures in place at all ports of entry and exit.
The action is being taken in line with the Passports and Travel Certificates Act, 1967 (NLCD 155), specifically Sections 6 and 7, which govern the issuance and proper use of official travel documents.
Source:TheDotNews