Take advantage of mobile registration exercises: Nguluvhe

ChronicleJuly 16, 2025

Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau

MATABELELAND South Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Albert Nguluvhe has urged citizens, particularly those in remote parts of the province, to take full advantage of Government mobile civil registration exercises to acquire key identity documents.

Speaking during a community gathering, held in his honour at Tshapongwe Primary School recently, Minister Nguluvhe emphasised that primary documents such as birth certificates and national identity cards are essential for accessing vital services including education, healthcare and voter registration.

“A birth certificate is the first and most critical document needed to obtain a national ID or passport. Without it, access to services becomes a challenge,” he said.

The Government, through the Civil Registry Department, regularly conducts national mobile registration campaigns aimed at under-served areas.

These initiatives focus on issuing birth and death certificates as well as national identity cards, as part of broader efforts to promote inclusivity and ensure that no citizen is left undocumented.

Minister Nguluvhe noted that President Mnangagwa had directed the Civil Registry to relax some of the stringent requirements that had previously hindered people, especially in marginalised communities, from obtaining essential documents.

“We know that many people, especially in remote areas, have long struggled to access these documents.

That’s why the Government continues to decentralise services, including establishing Civil Registry sub-offices at ward level,” he said.

He added that the opening of additional passport processing centres across the country is intended to facilitate safe and legal migration, particularly for communities situated near Zimbabwe’s borders with South Africa and Botswana.

“We already have a passport office in Beitbridge, and more are being established as part of our devolution agenda.

“People should not resort to unsafe migration when the Government is bringing services closer to them,” said Minister Nguluvhe.

The Minister expressed concern that some community members remain reluctant to secure critical documents, resulting in avoidable setbacks, especially for children.

“We have had cases where children couldn’t proceed to secondary school or sit for examinations because they lacked birth certificates,” he said.

He also stressed that accurate population data, enabled by proper documentation, is vital for equitable resource distribution and effective national planning.

Minister Nguluvhe urged communities not to shun national processes such as census exercises and voter registration, stating that participation in such programmes strengthens democratic governance and ensures fair service delivery.

“Even if you want to migrate, make sure you have a birth certificate, an ID and a passport. These documents not only open doors to opportunity, but they also count when we are allocating national resources,” he said.

He encouraged all undocumented residents to visit their nearest registry office or take advantage of mobile outreach programmes when available.

“This is a critical programme we must all embrace.

No one in Matabeleland South or anywhere across the country should be left behind,” said Minister Nguluvhe.

The Government continues to make significant progress in addressing long-standing challenges related to identity documentation.

By leveraging ongoing initiatives, Minister Nguluvhe said, citizens can unlock new opportunities and improve their quality of life. — @tupeyo

Source: Heraldonline