Moffat Mungazi
Solomon Bhumu
Post Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission this week held a multi-stakeholder engagement meeting to discuss the implementation of recommendations from the national inquiry on access to civil documentation in Manicaland.
The meeting was aimed to review progress and identify areas that require attention to ensure the effective implementation of the recommendations.
The meeting, held in Mutare on Tuesday, was attended by Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza, Provincial Civil Registrar, Ms Joyce Munamati, ZHRC chairperson, Commissioner Fungayi Jessie Majome, representatives from Tongogara Refugee Settlement, senior Government officials and traditional leaders.
Minister Mugadza said civil documentation is a fundamental right that should be accessible to all, as it forms the basis for accessing essential services such as education, medical assistance, travel, and employment.
He said documentation is crucial for an individual’s growth and development, and its absence can lead to marginalisation and exclusion.
Minister Mugadza has been advocating for the decentralisation and devolution of services, including civil registration, a move that aims to make essential services closer to the people, ensuring that everyone has access to vital documents such as birth certificates, national IDs, and passports.
“Documentation is a right that forms the foundation to access vital services that are critical to an individual’s growth and development, including education, medical assistance, travel and employment,” said Minister Mugadza.
Minister Mugadza said effective civil documentation also plays a critical role in promoting social and economic development, enabling citizens to access financial services, participate in the formal economy, and exercise their civic rights.
Furthermore, accurate and reliable documentation helps governments to plan and deliver services more efficiently, ultimately leading to better outcomes for citizens.
Commissioner Majome said the programme focuses on catering for the marginalised communities, including the disabled, vulnerable, border communities, and those affected by natural disasters like the Cyclone Idai of March 2019, which destroyed identity documents of victims’ in Chimanimani and Chipinge districts.
The ZHRC’s efforts aligns with Government’s initiative to decentralise critical services including, passport services, and in this regard, the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage has been working to establish a one-stop registry centre in Chipinge, which will house an e-passport office.
“The Commission’s efforts align with its broader mandate to protect and promote human rights in Zimbabwe,” said Commissioner Majome.
The initiative also seeks to offer access to civil documentation by refugees at Tongogara Refugee Settlement.
The settlement administrator, Mr Johannes Mhlanga said refugees married to Zimbabwean women can obtain civil documentation for their children in line with civil registry policies.
Ms Munamati said an active notification process of births and deaths in rural areas is being implemented, enabling traditional leaders to provide birth and death confirmation records, making it easier for mobile registration.
“We are currently offering training to traditional leaders and their assistants on how to conduct registration and account for birth registration information,” she said, adding that their initiative aims to ensure that children do not attend school without proper documentation, which are necessary for national exams.
Online Reporter