I normally use this blog to comment about events in Zambia but it has become necessary to deviate from this philosophy to comment on the Zambian High Commission in London.
Most Zambians accepted the incompetence of the High Commission and found a way of leading their lives in the UK without any contact with the High Commission. However, this changed when GRZ decided to change passports. To my horror the people at the embassy have not changed. They still want to work like they are in Lusaka! The solution to this problem is simple. Instead of filling the High Commission with relatives of the President and MMD cadres, send us people who are dedicated to serving the Zambian community in the UK.
In the meantime, there are number of things that they could do to improve matters at minimal cost such as answering the telephone (the Commission has a receptionist but it seems on certain days it seems like there is nobody to answer the phone. This can be frustrating). Furthermore, the website (http://zhcl.org.uk/) is full of dead links and rarely updated. The contact email (immzhcl@btconect.com) address is wrong and no one has bothered to correct it. It is amazing that at a time when the greatest headache facing Zambians in the UK concerns change of passports, there is absolutely no mention this exercise on the website.
The situation is captured by this comment on the UKZAMBIANS website
BA ZAMBIAN EMBASSY Kwena, you are all incompetent. How do you expect people to know about these renewal exercises ngatababikile ba website yabo? Obviously there is a serious problem if a passport that takes a week to obtain back in zed is taking over 6 months. Its totally unacceptable especially in this country were we are used to fast and efficient services. I think the Zambian community in the UK should sign a petition which should be submitted to the foreign office ku Lusaka, they need to explain why this incompetence and serious last of a sense of urgency that the embassy staff display. If you call the embassy you will be lucky to speak to someone at the first attempt. Receptionist ngasuka fone she puts you thru to a full mailbox so you can’t even leave a message. Tukashibuka lisa kanshi?? Lets be serious these people are in the UK to serve the Zambians here not ukulachita behave kwati they are doing us a favour. I will try and get these comments published mu post so that their bosses ku lusaka can read.
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3 comments:
i went into the Zambian High Commission in London today to find out more information to submit my applicaion for renewar. I have been trying to call for 2weeks and no one answer just a vocie message. I walked in thinking that i would have someone help me with my application as i have difficult with filling in applications. But instead i was greated by a one lady on the front desk who said sign in here is your applicaton fill it in and will call your number. i asked almost 3times what was important on the form, the lady was no helpful. my number was called and another lady said hello sit down. I asked what was important as i couldn't remember most of my mother's information. she said all i need is your passport,nrc and your money"laugh"!she didn't even check to see if i had filled it in correctly. i know i missed a few bits and i asked her to check twise and nothing. i dont understand how this works now i have to wait 3months to get a letter from them saying you didn't fill in the form right. I have to go back in on monday and it will cost me alot to get to london and work in one day. this is not the way it's supposed to be. we are zambians and these people dont care!
Thanks for your comment. I have received a number of messages from Zambians in the UK who are disappointed by the operation of the High Commission in London. There is need for the officers to realise that they need to act efficiently because people in this country are expectant of a high level of service. As I said in the original posting, if these officials are not up to the job, they should be recalled and a fresh bunch sent.
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Hi - I've read your original post with interest! My partner and I applied for tourist visas to visit Zambia through the high commission in London about a month ago and we have so far not recieved our visas (or had our passports returned!) I've been ringing them (no reply) and have tried emailing, but I notice in your post you mention that the email address given on their website is wrong. Would you happen to know what the correct email address is?? Many thanks!
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