Manpower shortages and ageing production equipment are behind the prolonged delays in issuing replacement national identity cards (Omang), Minister of Labour and Home Affairs Major Gen (Rtd) Pius Mokgware has told Parliament.
Responding to a question from Shashe West MP Justin Frenzel, Mokgware said the delays experienced since the beginning of the year stem from a combination of manpower and operational challenges that have slowed the processing of replacement identity cards.
Among the key causes cited are limited personnel in the production process, which has resulted in a substantial backlog of applications awaiting processing, as well as ageing production equipment that has suffered frequent mechanical breakdowns and requires regular maintenance, reducing production efficiency.
“The Ministry remains committed to ensuring that all eligible applicants receive their National Identity Cards as expeditiously as possible and will continue to monitor production performance and implement additional measures where necessary,” Major Gen (Rtd) Mokgware said.
Mokgware said the ministry has introduced several interventions to address the problem, including extending working hours, redeploying staff to critical production processes and working closely with suppliers to expedite maintenance of production equipment to maximise operational availability.
He said these measures have already begun reducing the backlog and that production continues to improve.
The minister told Parliament that the ministry expects normal turnaround times for replacement Omang cards to be progressively restored over the coming months as staffing levels improve and production processes are further optimised.
“The Ministry remains committed to ensuring that all eligible applicants receive their National Identity Cards as expeditiously as possible and will continue to monitor production performance and implement additional measures where necessary,” Major Gen (Rtd) Mokgware said.
Frenzel had also asked whether the ministry would issue a public statement allowing people awaiting replacement identity cards to access services using their renewal receipts together with expired Omang cards.
The minister told Parliament that the ministry expects normal turnaround times for replacement Omang cards to be progressively restored over the coming months as staffing levels improve and production processes are further optimised.
In response, Mokgware said the National Registration (Amendment) Act, 2025 already provides an alternative form of identification for affected individuals. Under the law, citizens whose identity cards have been lost, damaged or have expired may use a valid Botswana passport or driver’s licence as proof of identity while awaiting replacement of their Omang, provided they also produce proof that they have applied for a replacement.
He said the ministry has already communicated this provision to stakeholders and the public through various platforms and that awareness campaigns are continuing.
