Zimbabwean authorities have invited pro-democracy campaigner Namatai Kwekweza to report to the Registrar-General’s Office, where she will be issued her new national identity card following what her lawyers described as an unwarranted refusal to replace her defaced national identity document.
According to the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), officials at the Civil Registry Department had on 30 October 2024 refused to replace Namatai Kwekweza’s defaced national identity card, citing that she was on a “Stop List,” prohibiting her from possessing one.
This prompted Kwekweza to engage her lawyers, Tinashe Chinopfukutwa and Kelvin Kabaya from Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, who sent a letter on 14 November 2024 to Registrar-General Henry Machiri.
The letter protested the unlawful refusal and highlighted that Kwekweza’s right to a national identity card, guaranteed under the Zimbabwean Constitution, had been violated.
The lawyers argued that Kwekweza, as a Zimbabwean citizen, was entitled to a national identity card, regardless of any pending charges.
They also noted that even convicted prisoners are entitled to an ID card, and Kwekweza had been acquitted in 2021 of the charges that had initially led to her being placed on the “Stop List.”
The lawyers gave Machiri a 48-hour deadline to allow Kwekweza to replace her identity card, warning that failure to comply would result in legal action, with Machiri personally bearing the costs for any unnecessary litigation.
On 25 November 2024, Registrar-General Henry Machiri, through Assistant Registrar-General Ben Mpala, responded by inviting Kwekweza to report to the RG’s Office to receive her new national identity card.
Kwekweza was instructed to bring her original birth certificate, a copy of it, and a receipt for the replacement fee.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

Namatai Kwekweza, a Zimbabwean activist, was not given a new national ID card because she was on a "Stop List." However, her lawyers fought for her rights, saying everyone deserves an ID card. They argued with the Registrar-General and gave a deadline. Finally, on November 25, 2024, Namatai was told to go to the Registrar-General's office to get her new ID card. She needed to bring her birth certificate and pay a fee. This is a victory for Namatai, showing that everyone has a right to their identity.

Victory For Namatai Kwekweza As Registrar-General Agrees To Issue New National ID

Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi is reportedly mulling a proposal to allow Batswana and Zimbabweans to use national identity cards (IDs) for travel between the two countries.
Currently, citizens from both countries require valid passports to cross the border.
<a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/https-www-newzimbabwe-com-president-masisi-wants-to-scrap-passport-requirement-for-zimbabweans-entering-botswana/">NewZimbabwe.com</a> cited The Parrot newspaper as saying Masisi revealed that he will make the proposal over the use of ID cards for cross-border travel when he meets his Zimbabwe counterpart, President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Part of the reads:
<blockquote>
President Mokgweetsi Masisi has just revealed that in a few months’ time, he will be meeting his Zimbabwean counterpart Emmerson Mnangagwa on a visit where he will make sure they discuss the use of identity cards for border crossing between the two countries.
</blockquote>
Arguably, the majority of Zimbabweans who migrate to Botswana will be seeking better economic prospects while Batswana citizens mostly cross into Zimbabwe to seek tertiary education.
In February this year, Masisi and Namibian President, Hage Geingob signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to permit citizens of the two countries to use IDs to cross borders.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Botswana President Wants To Scrap Passport Requirement For Zimbabwean Travellers | Report

The Registrar-General’s Office will be open from today (Saturday) till Monday to assist registered voters who lost their national identity documents to obtain new ones so they can vote during the harmonised elections.
Addressing a Press conference in Harare, Registrar-General Mr Tobaiwa Mudede said this has been done in previous elections. He said they were aware that a lot of people could have lost their national identity cards and that was the reason why they will remain open throughout the weekend. Said Mudede:
<blockquote>This serves to inform the public that the offices of the Registrar General; i.e Central Registry, Provincial and District Offices will remain open for issuance of lost, misplaced or defaced identity documents and confirmation of citizenship (where necessary). These services will be extended to all registered voters to facilitate voting on the polling day.</blockquote>
He said today and tomorrow, the offices will be opened between 0700 hours and 1600 hours while on Monday from 0700 hours to 1900 hours. However, sub offices will not be open during this period.
More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/rgs-office-to-open-during-elections/">Herald</a>

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