Mbabane – The Ministry of Home Affairs has printed 3,599 travel documents across the country since Monday, 25 May 2026, as it races to resolve a shortage that has left many Emaswati without passports.
The ministry said every applicant who submitted a request has either already received their passport or will do so shortly, with immigration officers working extra hours and weekends to clear the backlog within a four-week timeframe.
Distribution figures over the past five days show that Mbabane headquarters received the largest share with 1,160 documents printed, followed by Manzini with 409 and Nhlangano with 335. Piggs Peak received 284, Simunye 262, Matata 248, Siphofaneni 233 and Mnkayane 198. Siteki received 97, Hlathikhulu 88 and Hluthi 18. 
The ministry thanked the public for their patience and understanding during what it described as a period of high demand and logistical adjustments.
