Nkosentsha Khumalo
Under the guise of bureaucracy, the Civil Registry Offices in Bulawayo have been exposed as a den of corruption, where officials prey on vulnerable citizens seeking essential documents.
The allegations, centre on officials demanding bribes from desperate individuals seeking to obtain or renew their essential documents such as Identity Documents (ID)and Birth Certificates.
Some victims have reported being forced to part with exorbitant amounts of money upwards of US$30, only to be left empty handed, as unscrupulous officials allegedly pocket the cash.
The Civil Registry recently opened offices at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) grounds, which have become a hotspot for these illicit activities, with multiple victims coming forward to share their harrowing experiences.
In one recent case, a victim alleges that he was almost fleeced of US$30 after being told that his birth certificate was no longer in good condition and that he needed to obtain a new one in order to replace his lost National Identity (ID) card.
According to the victim, who solemnly regrets stepping foot at the ZITF Civil Registry offices, his birth certificate is perfectly in good condition, but the female officer allegedly attempted to take advantage of him by making false claims about the document’s condition.
He said it was only when he ended up going to the Civil Registry Offices at Tredgold that he was told the truth, that his birth certificate is indeed in good acceptable condition and he can attain a new ID using it. This contradicts the false claims made by the female officer at the ZITF offices.
The whole saga began early morning on Friday, last week when the source approached the Civil Registry offices at ZITF, where he intended to replace his lost ID.
As is customary, he joined the queue at around past 7 am in the morning and waited patiently until 8 am, when a female official came to address the people who were queueing to be served, and instructing them to have their documents ready.
The victim narrated,
“When it was finally my turn to be checked for those documents, I was told that my birth certificate did not qualify for ID replacement. Before the woman told me to enter the offices, she asked if I had US$10 on me, and I handed it over. This was the money that I had intended to use for replacing my lost ID.
“She then wrote on the back of my police report that I needed to pay US$20, US$10 for a birth certificate renewal and another US$10 for the ID replacement. However, when I entered the office, I realized I had been robbed of the initial US$10 and was expected to pay an additional US$20, totaling US$30.
“At that time I was feeling confused and frustrated, so I returned to the lady outside to clarify the situation. Initially, she claimed that I had dropped the US$10 and told me to pick it up from the floor, where she had conveniently “dropped” it herself.”
“I then asked her again what was wrong with my birth certificate, as I didn’t see anything wrong with it. She reiterated that I needed to replace it because it was old. I found this explanation unsatisfactory, and it was at that point that I decided to leave.
“As I was leaving, I encountered the other official stationed at the ZITF offices, and I asked him about the condition of my birth certificate, specifically mentioning that the lady had told me it was old.”
According to the victim, the man looked at him with a knowing expression and said,
“My brother, whatever she said to you, just follow her instructions, she knows what she is doing.”
The male official is then said to have examined the birth certificate himself and confirmed,
“There is nothing wrong with this birth certificate, but she is the one in charge.”
Following up on these corruption allegations, a reporter from Zim GBC News approached the Civil Registry Offices at Emsitheli, seeking an interview with the Regional Registra, Mrs. Peters, the officer in charge, to inform her about the alleged corruption tendencies.
However, upon arrival, our reporter was told that Mrs. Peters was unavailable.
The reporter, together with the victim then proceeded to the Civil Registry offices at Tredgold, where some officials confirmed that the birth certificate was indeed eligible for lost ID replacement, as it was still in good condition and the details were still clear.
They emphatically stated that there was absolutely nothing wrong with the birth certificate.
The root of corruption at the Civil Registry often lies in the frustratingly long queues people have to endure.
Many wake up as early as 4 am to secure a spot in line at the Civil Registry offices in town. To make matters worse, some individuals travel from far-flung areas, only to spend over five hours waiting in line.
This exhausting and demoralizing experience thus make people more vulnerable to corrupt officials who promise to expedite the process for a price.
It is a well known and troubling fact that corruption has become deeply entrenched in Zimbabwe, and it’s unlikely to end anytime soon.
Despite the arrest of corrupt government officials as was witnessed with the recent arrest of Bulawayo Deputy Mayor and Ward 26 Councilor, new cases of corruption continue to emerge, and some individuals never face justice.
This has led to a widespread perception that corruption is rampant and pervasive in the country.
The problem is compounded by the fact that corruption exists at all levels of society, from petty bribery to grand corruption involving high-ranking officials. The police, judiciary, and public services are all areas where corruption is particularly prevalent.
This tabloid, hence urges the public to be vigilant and join the fight against corrupt officials who seek to exploit individuals.
The community, must work together to expose and prevent corrupt practices, to ensure that those in power serve the people, not their own interests.
It is also essential for citizens to be aware of their rights and to report any instances of corruption.
The plague of corruption continues to taint the fabric of Zimbabwe, with Transparency International’s 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index revealing a disturbing score of 24 out of 100.
This indicates that corruption remains a grave concern for the country’s development.
The issue has been recognized by Transparency International Zimbabwe, who have highlighted the detrimental impact of corruption on the economy and on citizens’ trust in institutions.
The cancerous effects of corruption are far-reaching, permeating into the public sector, diamond trade, and land distribution.
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