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Zimbabwe says 'undocumented migrants a security risk'
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A recent report by the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Defence and Home Affairs has raised alarm about the potential security risks posed by undocumented migrants in Zimbabwe. The committee, chaired by Beitbridge East MP Albert Nguluvhe, noted that the absence of official records for these individuals makes it difficult to identify those involved in criminal activities, thereby complicating investigations and potentially allowing criminals to evade justice.
The report emphasized the need for Zimbabwe to address the issue of undocumented migrants by assisting them in acquiring primary documentation, such as birth certificates and national IDs. This, the committee argued, would help these individuals to participate more fully in the country's social, economic, and political sectors.
"Undocumented individuals need to be assisted with primary documentation to enable them to participate in economic, social and political sectors of their lives," the committee said in the report.
The committee called on the government to allocate resources towards researching the scope of undocumented migration in the country. It recommended that by December 31, 2025, the government should conduct a quantitative study to determine the number of individuals at risk of statelessness, which would help identify those who lack documentation and facilitate their registration.
Additionally, the report urged the Registrar-General's Office to run public awareness campaigns to inform the public about the importance of acquiring primary documents and to outline the process for obtaining them. Special emphasis was placed on mining areas, which are known to host large numbers of undocumented individuals.
"The Registrar-General's Office should conduct public awareness programmes to encourage the public to obtain primary documents, outlining their importance, including procedures for obtaining them, particularly in mining areas where there are large numbers of undocumented people," the committee recommended. The goal is to complete this by December 31, 2024.
To improve the quality of service at the Civil Registry Department, the committee suggested that staff undergo refresher courses and training in customer care, with a deadline for completion by July 31, 2025. This would help ensure that all citizens and migrants are provided with efficient service and are able to obtain documents without undue difficulty.
The report also highlighted the need for clarity on the minimum requirements for obtaining essential documents. It urged the Civil Registry Department to specify these requirements through public outreach programmes by July 31, 2025, to reduce unnecessary rejections.
One of the committee's more urgent calls was for the government to expedite efforts to train traditional leaders, enabling them to issue primary documents like birth and death certificates. This would make it easier for people in rural and remote areas to access these essential services, which are currently more readily available in urban centres. The committee recommended that this initiative be completed by December 31, 2024.
Additionally, the report called for a special dispensation for those who are victims of natural disasters, such as floods, lightning, or fires, to be allowed to acquire primary documents without facing cumbersome procedures. This provision was recommended to be in place by July 31, 2025.
The committee also urged Treasury to allocate additional funds to the Civil Registry Department to facilitate a verification exercise that would help capture and record undocumented individuals, enabling them to be issued with official documentation.
Finally, the report criticized officials at the Registrar-General's Office for their reluctance to assist individuals with unique documentation challenges, especially in mining areas where undocumented migrants often reside in illegal settlements. These areas are typically not subject to scrutiny for documentation, leading to further marginalization of the undocumented population.
In conclusion, the committee's report stresses that addressing the issue of undocumented migrants is crucial not only for the security of the nation but also for the effective integration of all citizens into Zimbabwe's social and economic fabric.
The report emphasized the need for Zimbabwe to address the issue of undocumented migrants by assisting them in acquiring primary documentation, such as birth certificates and national IDs. This, the committee argued, would help these individuals to participate more fully in the country's social, economic, and political sectors.
"Undocumented individuals need to be assisted with primary documentation to enable them to participate in economic, social and political sectors of their lives," the committee said in the report.
The committee called on the government to allocate resources towards researching the scope of undocumented migration in the country. It recommended that by December 31, 2025, the government should conduct a quantitative study to determine the number of individuals at risk of statelessness, which would help identify those who lack documentation and facilitate their registration.
Additionally, the report urged the Registrar-General's Office to run public awareness campaigns to inform the public about the importance of acquiring primary documents and to outline the process for obtaining them. Special emphasis was placed on mining areas, which are known to host large numbers of undocumented individuals.
"The Registrar-General's Office should conduct public awareness programmes to encourage the public to obtain primary documents, outlining their importance, including procedures for obtaining them, particularly in mining areas where there are large numbers of undocumented people," the committee recommended. The goal is to complete this by December 31, 2024.
The report also highlighted the need for clarity on the minimum requirements for obtaining essential documents. It urged the Civil Registry Department to specify these requirements through public outreach programmes by July 31, 2025, to reduce unnecessary rejections.
One of the committee's more urgent calls was for the government to expedite efforts to train traditional leaders, enabling them to issue primary documents like birth and death certificates. This would make it easier for people in rural and remote areas to access these essential services, which are currently more readily available in urban centres. The committee recommended that this initiative be completed by December 31, 2024.
Additionally, the report called for a special dispensation for those who are victims of natural disasters, such as floods, lightning, or fires, to be allowed to acquire primary documents without facing cumbersome procedures. This provision was recommended to be in place by July 31, 2025.
The committee also urged Treasury to allocate additional funds to the Civil Registry Department to facilitate a verification exercise that would help capture and record undocumented individuals, enabling them to be issued with official documentation.
Finally, the report criticized officials at the Registrar-General's Office for their reluctance to assist individuals with unique documentation challenges, especially in mining areas where undocumented migrants often reside in illegal settlements. These areas are typically not subject to scrutiny for documentation, leading to further marginalization of the undocumented population.
In conclusion, the committee's report stresses that addressing the issue of undocumented migrants is crucial not only for the security of the nation but also for the effective integration of all citizens into Zimbabwe's social and economic fabric.
Source - newsday
