The Civil Registry Department is conducting a Mini Mobile Registration Exercise for Ward 17 in Bulawayo Metropolitan Province, targeting children from child-headed families and other vulnerable groups who lack birth certificates.
Ward 17 covers Pumula North, A portion of Pumula South Phase 3, Dunstal Farm, Hydepark Village, Mazwi, St Peters village and Robert Sinyoka
Many children without birth certificates in Zimbabwe struggle with statelessness, which prevents them from enrolling in schools, obtaining national identity documents, and later, accessing employment opportunities.
Human rights activists have been calling on the Civil Registry Department to conduct mobile registration exercises across the country in an effort to address this issue, particularly in communities affected by historical injustices, poverty and administrative challenges.
In an official notice addressed to the Provincial Education Director in Bulawayo last month, Provincial Registrar Jane Peters confirmed that the mobile exercise will run for 10 days, from February 4 to February 13, 2025.
The registration process will be carried out at three primary schools within the ward:
St Peters Primary School – February 4 to February 7, 2025
Robert Sinyoka Primary School – February 8 to February 10, 2025
Hyde Park Primary School – February 11 to February 13, 2025
“The exercise will concentrate on children from child headed families and other vulnerable children,” said the provincial registrar.
In an interview with CITE, Pumula Ward 17 Councillor Sikhululekile Moyo underscored the importance of the exercise, saying it would benefit all individuals who currently lack proper documentation.
“The advert and programme is for everyone who has no birth certificate and identity documents. This initiative came about after a committee looking into documentation and ID access conducted consultations and found that many children in Ward 17 do not have birth certificates due to various reasons,” said Moyo.
The councillor added that some of the affected families were victims of the Gukurahundi genocide, which has historically left many individuals without the necessary documents to prove their citizenship.
“This documentation process is aimed at helping children who do not have birth certificates. We know that birth certification and documentation is a right. This programme is meant to help all those in the ward who do not have documentation. No one will be excluded, but people must come forward to receive help,” she added.
The councillor stressed the programme is aimed at assisting children who do not have birth certificates, making sure they gain proper identification in order to access services.
“Proper documentation is essential for accessing education, healthcare and other public services,” Moyo said.
“I encourage residents of Ward 17 to take advantage of this initiative and make sure their children receive the documentation they need.”
