Sundaymail Editor
Online Reporter
Government is embarking on a process to eliminate prejudices against minority demographics through the recording of their national identification cards.
During colonial times, the settler regime adopted a ’00’ affix for people of a mixed race, Asians and Caucasians, to set them apart from indigenous people.
However, after independence, the classification ended up playing against the people whose identity carried the code.
In the spirit of equality, Government has moved to remove the lines of separation.
Home Affairs and Cultural Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe told Parliament today that plans are afoot to rectify the anomaly.
“The 00 code differentiated citizens on the basis of race, colour and creed. The system further segmented access to the mainstream economy and other social strata on racial grounds and gave better opportunities to persons whose IDs bore the ’00’ code,” Minister Kazembe said.
The system which worked in the favour of minority communities came back to haunt them.
“Although the system did not have a basis, it remained in use until now, prompting some of the affected citizens to petition Parliament. The divisive system of racial profiling was at the detriment of segments of society who found it to be hindering their quest to participate in mainstream economic activities,” said Minister Kazembe.
Minister Kazembe said the Second Republic under President Mnangagwa treats all citizens as equals and had no issues in accepting the request laid by those who felt aggrieved.
The policy shift is consistent with Section 35 of the Constitution, which states that all citizens are equally entitled to rights, privileges and benefits of citizenship.
Online Reporter