ZIMBABWE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION For Human Dignity REPORT ON: APRIL 2020 i DISTRIBUTED BY VERITAS e-mail: [email protected]; website: www.veritaszim.net Veritas makes every effort to ensure the provision of reliable information, but cannot take legal responsibility for information supplied. NATIONAL INQUIRY REPORT NATIONAL INQUIRY REPORT ZIMBABWE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION ZIMBABWE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION For Human Dignity For Human Dignity TABLE OF CONTENTS FOREWORD .................................................................................................................................................. vii ACRONYMS.................................................................................................................................................... ix GLOSSARY OF TERMS .................................................................................................................................. xi PART A: INTRODUCTION TO THE NATIONAL INQUIRY PROCESS ................................................................ 1 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................ 1 1.1 Establishment of the National Inquiry and its Terms of Reference ....................................................... 2 1.2 Methodology ..................................................................................................................................... 3 CHAPTER 2: THE NATIONAL INQUIRY PROCESS .......................................................................................... 5 2.0 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 5 2.1 Evidence Gathering............................................................................................................................... 5 2.1.1 Literature Review (Public Reports and Researches) .................................................................... 5 2.1.2 National and Provincial Stakeholder Consultative and Validation Meetings ...................................... ............................................................................................................................................... 6 2.1.3 Written Witness and Stakeholder Submissions ............................................................................. 8 2.1.4 Oral Submissions from Witnesses and Stakeholders .................................................................. 10 2.1.5 Field Visits to Marginalised Communities by Commissioners ...................................................... 12 2.1.6 Viewing of Video Footage .......................................................................................................... 13 2.1.7 Media Reports ........................................................................................................................... 13 2.2 Limitations and Mitigation Strategies ............................................................................................... 13 2.2.1 Time Constraints ....................................................................................................................... 14 2.2.2 Resource Constraints ................................................................................................................ 14 2.2.3 Participation of Marginalised Groups .......................................................................................... 14 2.2.4 Modes of Disseminating Information .......................................................................................... 14 2.2.5 Co-operation by the Department of the Registrar General ........................................................... 14 2.2.6 Mobilisation and Inaccessibility of Communities ........................................................................... 15 PART B: KEY FINDINGS ................................................................................................................................ 15 CHAPTER 3: CHALLENGES IN ACCESSING IDENTITY DOCUMENTS ......................................................... 16 3.0 Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 16 3.1 Main Challenges in Accessing Documents....................................................................................... 16 3.2 REGISTRATION ISSUES ............................................................................................................... 17 3.2.1 Lack of Knowledge on Registration Requirements for National Documents ..................................... ............................................................................................................................................. 17 3.2.2 Procrastination and Negligence by Parents to Register Children ................................................ 18 3.2.3 Inconsistent Information from Department of the Registrar General ............................................ 18 3.2.4 Negative Attitudes and Discriminatory Practices by some RG’s Officers ...................................... 19 3.2.5 Allegations of Corruption .............................................................................................................. 20 3.2.6 Language barriers ..................................................................................................................... 21 ii i NATIONAL INQUIRY REPORT NATIONAL INQUIRY REPORT ZIMBABWE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION ZIMBABWE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION For Human Dignity For Human Dignity 3.2.7 Clerical Errors .............................................................................................................................. 21 3.2.8 Non-acceptance of Confirmation letters from Traditional Leaders ................................................ 22 3.2.9 Lack of Birth Confirmation Records ............................................................................................ 22 3.2.10 Cumbersome Process for Home Birth Registrations ................................................................... 23 3.2.11 Centralisation of National Documentation Services ..................................................................... 23 3.2.12 Centralisation of Services Critical in Facilitating Registration ....................................................... 25 3.2.13 Mobile Registration Challenges ................................................................................................. 25 3.2.14 Costs of Accessing Services and Payment Modalities. ................................................................ 26 3.2.15 Resource Constraints of the Department of the Registrar General ............................................... 27 3.3 SOCIAL AND CULTURAL BARRIERS ............................................................................................ 27 3.3.1 Demand for Lobola Payment ........................................................................................................ 28 3.3.2 Un-documented Mothers ............................................................................................................. 28 3.3.3 Religious Beliefs ........................................................................................................................ 28 3.3.4 Use of Maternal Surnames to Register Children .......................................................................... 29 3.3.5 Generational Challenges ........................................................................................................... 29 3.3.6 Migration and Unknown Whereabouts of Parents. ....................................................................... 30 3.3.7 Falsification of Documents and Registration Information. ............................................................ 30 3.3.8 Orphaned and Abandoned Children ........................................................................................... 31 3.4 LEGAL CHALLENGES ........................................................................................................................ 31 CHAPTER 4: DOCUMENTATION AND SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS .......................................................... 33 4.0 Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 33 4.1 Children ......................................................................................................................................... 33 4.2 Orphans ......................................................................................................................................... 34 4.3 Women .......................................................................................................................................... 34 4.4 Intersex Persons ............................................................................................................................. 35 4.5 Persons with Disabilities ................................................................................................................. 35 4.6 Minority Groups .............................................................................................................................. 36 4.7 Elderly Persons (60 years +) ........................................................................................................... 37 4.8 Foreign Nationals from the SADC Region .......................................................................................