A chilling wind sweeps through Zimbabwe’s empty streets, where people huddle outside the Registrar-General’s office, braving the cold in their quest for a national identity document (ID). This scene has become a daily reality for thousands in Zimbabwe, struggling with an acute ID crisis.
Nationwide, a severe shortage of plastic ID cards, essential for legal identification, cripples offices. Diaspora returnees, eager to replace lost or expired IDs, confront interminable delays. Youngsters, like 16-year-old Takura, eagerly await the chance to register for exams, but the unavailability of these crucial documents dashes their hopes.
“I need my ID to register for examinations next year,” Takura says, struggling to be heard over the howling wind. “But with the current situation, I’m not sure if I’ll get it in time.”
According to a report by Newsday, the government’s 2021 contract with Garsu Pasaulis, a Lithuanian firm, has failed to alleviate this growing crisis. For months, registry offices have faced shortages, now resorting to issuing temporary waiting passes instead of the much-needed plastic IDs. These green passes, a temporary solution, often meet rejection from banks and employers, leaving many in limbo.
Tapiwa Nyatanga, who returned from Malawi to support his family, expresses his frustration: “They won’t accept this green paper. I’m stuck here, unable to open a bank account or send money home.”
Registrar-General Henry Machiri denies any consumable shortage. “We addressed this issue well before the elections,” he says. Yet, he admits to the system’s limitations, including technical issues with machines and network challenges, which slow down the ID issuance process.
Despite these challenges, the Harare registry office processes up to 220 IDs daily, limited by the number of functional printers. “It would be unfair to make hundreds wait when we can’t fulfill their needs,” Machiri says.
Human rights activist Aaron Hamauswa highlights the severity of the situation. “Access to an ID is a basic right. It’s about dignity and societal participation. The government’s failure here is significant.”
As dawn breaks over Harare, the resilient spirit of Zimbabweans endures. They continue their vigil, a silent testament to their yearning for recognition and a rightful place in their land. The long wait, a test of patience, is a burden they willingly bear with enduring hope.
