By Dorrothy Moyo| The government has said reports that passport fees have been increased are false.

Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Cain Mathema also said that the Registrar-General’s office is producing 8 000 passports per day to clear a backlog that has risen to 280 000.

Minister Mathema said: “Government has not increased passport fees.

“There are no increases on fees for passports whatsoever. The situation remains the same and people must not panic. We will do the best we can and indeed we are doing that.

“The backlog is at around 280 000 and the machinery we have, has the capacity of producing 8 000 passports per day. Our aim is to produce as many as 8 000 passports per day in order to get rid of the backlog that has accumulated over the years.

“The public must not panic. We will provide the passports that are required by the people.” – state media