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Nqobile Tshili, Chronicle Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) has called on registry officials to waive some of the requirements to enable Gukurahundi victims to access national documents.
In an interview after a four-day access to documentation mop up exercise in the region, ZHRC chairperson Dr Elasto Mugwadi said some of the Gukurahundi victims could not meet some of the requirements for them to obtain national documents hence the call for a waiver.
He said those who lost their parents during the Gukurahundi disturbances had no death certificates for their parents which registry officials were demanding.
“Registry officials should accept recommendation letters from victims’ traditional leaders,” said Dr Mugwadi.
The commission visited Matobo district on Tuesday where many of the Gukurahundi victims are still afraid to open up.
Dr Mugwadi said the commission had written to Matabeleland South Registrar General’s Office asking officials to urgently visit the San community as most of them do not have national documents like IDs and birth certificates.
This follows its visit to the San community in Makulela village in Bulilima District, Matabeleland South province.
It is estimated that about 95 percent of the San community is undocumented hence the push for the registry officials to visit the area.
Dr Mugwadi said diaspora-based parents should also take seriously the issue of having identity documents for their children.
He said many children whose parents are in either Botswana or South Africa do not have identity documents.
“It is important for parents to ensure that their children have identity documents,” said Dr Mugwadi. – @nqotshili
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