Chombo, Mudede sued over death certificate

BULAWAYO resident, Mkhululwa Sibanda has sued Registrar-General Tobaiwa Mudede, and Home Affair minister Ignatius Chombo for refusing to issue a death certificate for his late mistress.

Sibanda filed his application at the Bulawayo High Court on October 21 seeking an order compelling Mudede's office and the Home Affairs ministry to issue him with Amanda Sibanda's death certificate for the benefit of their son.

He submitted that his relationship with Amanda resulted in the birth of a son, although they never stayed together as husband and wife.

"Amanda passed on in 2007. During her lifetime, she used to stay in Pumula with her parents. When Amanda died, I took sole custody and guardianship," he submitted.

"What has led to this application is that the first respondent (Mudede) has refused to issue the applicant with the death certificate on the grounds that he is not related to the deceased, Amanda, notwithstanding that the applicant is seeking a death certificate as a guardian of [their son] …"

Sibanda said the Registrar-General's Office advised him to look for the relatives of the deceased so as to obtain the death certificate, but he has tried to look for them with no luck, as he last saw them at Amanda's funeral in 2007.

Sibanda said he has two other children and is now married to another woman.

"During holidays, we travel to South Africa and it is a requirement that when you travel with a minor you are supposed to have both parents' consent by deposing affidavits and attaching national identity copies. If one parent is deceased, you need to provide a copy of death certificate," Sibanda submitted.

He said he was unable to travel with his son because of the lack of documentation, particularly, his mother's death certificate. Sibanda said their son usually looks depressed each time they leave for South Africa and it becomes unfair on the child.

Mudede and Chombo are yet to respond to the application.