Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Matutu-Dube
Civil registry officials deployed to rural areas in Gwanda as part of the ongoing mobile registration blitz ahead of the anticipated August harmonized elections have expressed serious concerns about their safety and working conditions.
The mobile registration exercise, aimed at increasing voter registration coverage in hard-to-reach communities, has seen officials face growing hostility from some members of the public. Several officials have reported receiving threats and even physical attacks by unknown individuals, who are pressuring them to bypass established registration procedures.
According to sources within the civil registry, the officials are mandated to adhere strictly to the prescribed documentation requirements for issuing identity documents. These include the presence of a parent, guardian, or legal representative, as well as proof of birth such as an official birth record or, in the case of people born in rural villages, a letter from the village head confirming the applicant’s birth details.
One civil registry official, who requested anonymity for fear of reprisals, said, “Our instructions are clear. To issue any identity document, we must verify the applicant’s identity through proper channels. This means we must have a parent or guardian present, and the applicant must produce a birth record or a letter from the village head if they were born in a rural area. Unfortunately, some individuals have been threatening us, insisting that we ignore these requirements and issue identity documents without following the necessary procedures.”
Another official shared a troubling account: “We were working in one of the remote wards when a group of people confronted us, demanding that we register applicants even if they did not have the required documents or guardians present. They said we must ‘do as they say’ or face consequences. This has created a very unsafe working environment for us.”
The intimidation tactics reportedly include verbal threats, harassment, and intimidation aimed at forcing officials to compromise the integrity of the registration process. Several officials said they fear for their personal safety, especially when working alone in isolated areas far from immediate support.
The growing tension has also raised concerns about the credibility of the upcoming elections, as the integrity of the voter registration process is crucial for ensuring free and fair polls. Observers warn that any deviation from established procedures could undermine the legitimacy of the electoral process.
The civil registry officials have called on local authorities and law enforcement agencies to provide adequate protection and to take action against those who threaten or attack public servants performing their duties. They emphasized the importance of maintaining the rule of law and ensuring that all identity documents are issued in accordance with legal provisions.
