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 Right to Health Care “I want a BC, so that I can get a passport and be able to go to South Africa where my children and nieces are. I am of ill health suffering from heart problem. My relatives in South Africa advised that if I get a passport, they could assist with medical attention.” Female witness, Mhondoro- Ngezi, Mashonaland West Province. “I lost my passport in South Africa when I had gone to seek medical assistance. I tried to replace it in December 2018 but I was told they do not have paper for passports. I have to go back to South Africa for treatment for an operation. I was supposed to have gone back on the 1st of August but I failed because I do not have a passport. My cheek can bleed anytime and it is painful. On 4 occasions I approached the local hospitals and they did not have the equipment for the operation I need to undergo. I have not gone back to the RGs office since December 2018.” 36-year-old woman from Murewa, Mashonaland East Province. Access to Social Welfare “It is difficult for orphans living in Institutions of care without birth certificates to access per capita grants which at the moment are RTGS$15 per quarter. The grant assists in the running of children’s homes. Money for vulnerable members of society is deposited in bank accounts and without a national ID they cannot be considered for the programme. With Government Programmes like Food Deficiency Mitigation (FDM) Programme, it is difficult for those without national IDs to be enlisted and they are left out.” Social Welfare Officer for Child Protection, Manicaland Province. An elderly woman from Mashonaland West who has custody of 7 grandchildren without birth certificates only one of her grandchildren had a birth certificate and receives aid from the Department of Social welfare, but others were left out. She has to share one person’s monthly allocation, with her six other grandchildren. “In our village we get fertilizers and seeds, because we have no IDs, we do not benefit, for every programme that comes you are not counted, you are not even recognized as available so you do not get anything. Government should assist us”. 45-year-old female witness Manicaland Province Freedom of profession, trade or occupation “A local company had been identifying brilliant children from poor backgrounds in Caledonia, offering them employment, including the witness’s child150. However, he could not be offered the job because he did not have national identity card. This situation has actually destroyed me and my child too .” 51-year-old witness from Caledonia, Harare Province. “I lost my documents 4 years ago. I made a police report the day l lost the documents, and went to the RG in Gutu, who referred me to Masvingo, but I did not have finances to travel. It has been difficult to get employment. I also lost my job because l did not have an ID.” 41 Male witness, Masvingo Province. “The waiting pass makes it difficult to secure a job especially in my area where I was told that the waiting pass is not acceptable for employment. If you succeed in getting a job, the moment they realize you have a waiting pass, they will dismiss you. I tried to get a metal or plastic ID. I have receipts to prove that I tried to get it but failed.” Male witness, Hwange District, Matabeleland North Province. “I do not have a birth certificate and ID. I went to the RGs office and they asked me to bring my father but I told them he is disabled and cannot walk…It’s about $25 to come to Marondera from where I stay. I cannot secure employment because they require an ID.” 24-year-old male witness, Goromonzi District, Mashonaland East Province. Right to Property “My mother passed away in South Africa and was buried in Zimbabwe. My step father took my mother’s death certificate and went with it to South Africa and I never saw him again up to now. I’m failing to register my mother’s estate. She had a house which was under construction”. Female witness, Matabeleland South Province. 150 Name of child withheld to protect privacy 92 92