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 2.2.6 Mobilisation and Inaccessibility of Communities Due to non-decentralisation and its limited visibility, the ZHRC had to rely on stakeholders on the ground to mobilise people affected by lack of documentation. For some outreaches, this was not effectively done, resulting in low turnout as was the case in Matabeleland South Province. In some communities, the outreach meetings collided with other community events such as distribution of food aid and community meetings, which were of higher priority to these communities. Where such challenges were experienced, these were mitigated by inviting a stakeholder to give evidence on documentation issues affecting the community at large. For instance, the outreach in the Kopa community of Chimanimani was cancelled due to inaccessibility because of poor road conditions post the Cyclone Idai natural disaster. This resulted in no submissions being received from that particular community. This setback was mitigated by a Commissioners’ visit to this community at the end of the public hearings in December 2019, where they engaged with this community and gathered evidence on the challenges experienced in accessing documentation. Further, communication barriers during field visits were encountered with PWDs as there was lack of accessible information in appropriate format such as braille, audio visuals and sign language. However, sign language interpreters were available at public hearings. Language barriers in public hearings were addressed through provision of interpreters by the Judicial Service Commission. PART B: KEY FINDINGS Image 6 A woman successfully obtains national documents at the Manicaland Province Public Hearing 15 15