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Government and security ministries’ representatives agreed at a meeting yesterday that the programme should go ahead as planned.
The census will run from 17 to 27 August with principals in the inclusive Government expected to launch the programme next Wednesday.
Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara and Acting Finance Minister Gorden Moyo held a meeting with ministers and senior officials from security ministries to iron out sticking issues surrounding the criteria used in the selection of enumerators.
There were reports that security personnel were not happy with their quota allocation.
It is understood Ministers Emmerson Mnangagwa (Defence), Sydney Sekeramayi (State Security), Home Affairs co-Ministers Kembo Mohadi and Theresa Makone attended the meeting together with senior officials from their ministries.
DPM Mutambara told journalists after the meeting that they had thrashed out the differences paving way for the resumption of training. “We had a good meeting this morning with ministers from security ministries, Ministers Mnangagwa, Sekeramayi, Mohadi and Makone and what we have done is to put our house in order,” DPM Mutambara said.
“We have brought harmony and alignment. Whatever problems were there have now been resolved and what we are emphasising now is harmony. In this country we have been conducting very successful censuses since 1982 and today we are just reaffirming our commitment to our methodology of carrying out a census. We are saying why don’t we stick to the formula that works?”
The meeting with ministers and officials from security ministries, DPM Mutambara said, was premised on ensuring that everybody was in agreement with the need to have a credible national census.
Minister Mohadi confirmed the meeting and concurred with DPM Mutambara and Minister Moyo.
Said Minister Mohadi: “What they told you is what we agreed on. They were speaking on behalf of everyone.”
Minister Mnangagwa and Minister Makone could not be reached for comment, as their phones were not reachable.
Minister Moyo said training would resume today at all centres.
He appealed to all Zimbabweans to make sure the census is conducted successfully.
“The training that was suspended is now starting tomorrow (today) and all our enumerators are expected to report for training.
“Training will be conducted from tomorrow and during the Heroes holidays up to Tuesday. We are fully behind the Cabinet decision on census and we are in harmony in the entire Government system.
“We have now made sure that all the challenges that have been impeding the programme have been resolved. Tomorrow training will be starting and we have made sure that there will be no disruptions,” Minister Moyo said.
He said in line with the Cabinet resolution, security ministers and officials were happy with the arrangement.
Minister Moyo said security personnel would conduct the census in their cantons and provide security to enumerators during the exercise.
The training of enumerators had a false start on Wednesday following disturbances and confusion that rocked most centres.
The training was subsequently deferred and enumerators at various centres across the country were turned away.
There were indications by late yesterday that training had resumed at some centres in the afternoon.
The United Nations, emphasising the importance of censuses, recommends that countries should conduct a census every 10 years.
This period allows for the capture of changes in structure and movement of population.
The fundamental purpose of the census is to provide the facts essential to government for policy-making, planning and administration.
The characteristics of the population drive the decision-making that facilitates the development of socioeconomic policies that will enhance the welfare of the population.
A census provides important data for the analysis and appraisal of the changing patterns of rural to urban movement and concentration.
Online Reporter