Andrew
Online Reporter
THE High Court has ordered the Registrar of Birth and Death to allow fathers to obtain birth certificates for children born out of wedlock, especially in cases where mothers would have abandoned the child.
Justice Owen Tagu handed down the ruling on Monday after Mr Bernard Tashu and child rights activist Mrs Petronella Nyamapfene approached the High Court seeking an order to compel the Registrar to comply with the Birth and Death Registration Act.
The Act allows fathers to apply for birth certificates for their children where the mother would have abandoned or deserted the child.
The Registrar had denied Mr Tashu the right to obtain the document without providing a marriage certificate in the mother’s absence.
Mr Tashu was represented by children rights lawyer Pamela Musimwa of Justice for Children.
Mrs Nyamapfene was represented by Mr Darlington Marange of the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum.
Online Reporter