N AT I O N A L I N Q U I R Y R E P O R T ZIMBABWE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION For Human Dignity public hearings33. In some cases, persons who qualified were issued with national documents such as birth certificates, national identity cards, death certificates and emergency passports especially for urgent medical treatment. A total of one hundred and sixty-eight (168) birth certificates and national identity documents34, six (6) death certificates were issued and four (4) passport applications were processed. Public hearing proceedings were open to members of the public and documented through transcripts, video and photography35. 2.1.5 Field Visits to Marginalised Communities by Commissioners Image 5 Commissioners field visit to Bhalagwe Mass Grave in Matebeleland South Province The Commissioners conducted field visits to identified marginalised communities to get in-depth understanding of and gather evidence on peculiar challenges faced by these communities in accessing documentation. The other objective was to assess the impact of lack of documentation on enjoyment of their human rights. It had been noted during public hearings that some marginalised communities shied away from directly engaging in the National Inquiry process as indicated by the few individual submissions received from those communities. Field visits were, therefore, meant to address this limitation to some extent. Field visits were conducted in the following communities36; Communities affected by Gukurahundi disturbances (Matobo, Matabeleland South); Indigenous Minority Communities (San, Matabeleland South); Communities living along Zimbabwe’s borders (Mutasa District, Manicaland Province, bordering Mozambique); Inmates and mentally impaired persons (Khami Prison and Mlondolozi female Prison and Mental Institution, Bulawayo); The refugee community (Tongogara Refugee Camp, Manicaland Province); and Cyclone Idai disaster affected communities (Kopa, Chimanimani, Manicaland Province). 33 Except for Masvingo Province, the first Province where Public Hearings were held, thereby providing a learning curve for the necessity of Help Desks from the DRG and DSW. 34 Disaggregation by birth certificate or national identity and by sex is not available. 35 36 Written consent was obtained from witnesses and stakeholders to take pictures and videos for use by ZHRC. Between 16 – 20 December 2019. 12 12