Parental neglect, undocumented children at grave risk

By Kelvin Kutinyo

A growing concern has been raised regarding the persistent trend of parental neglect in documenting their children, leaving them vulnerable and excluded from accessing essential benefits and services.

The lack of proper documentation often serves as a barrier, preventing individuals from accessing essential services such as quality education and healthcare. This lack further excludes them from receiving charitable donations, as many organizations and well-wishers require verified identification documents to facilitate support.

While various initiatives to promote universal access in rural and urban communities have been launched, there remains a gap in compliance as some individuals do not treat the right to proper documentation with urgency.

Dr. Themba Nyoni, Director of Baobab Educational Assessment Centre, identified key factors contributing to the widespread lack of documentation among children and adults.

“The country’s historical context and societal issues have led to a pervasive lack of documentation among citizens. This stems from intergenerational ignorance about the importance of documentation, misguided beliefs that it’s unnecessary for informal work, and corrupt practices that exploit vulnerable individuals.”

“Failed relationships, spite, and impatience also contribute to the problem, with some individuals refusing to help document children or demanding exorbitant fees to expedite the process.”

The absence of proper documentation, such as birth certificates, frequently hinders children’s timely enrollment in educational institutions and in desperation parents resort to enrolling their children in unlicensed colleges and institutes that prioritize financial gain over academic quality, thereby compromising the children’s future prospects.

Dr Nyoni further added that the government should establish a mandatory birth registration system, utilizing local leaders and hospitals to ensure every citizen has access to essential documents.

“The government should intensify outreach programs to facilitate documentation for disadvantaged individuals. Strategies include establishing substations, streamlining document acquisition, and raising awareness. Mandatory birth registration through local leaders and hospitals should also be implemented to ensure all births are recorded and documented,” he advised.

It has also been established that parental migration is a key factor contributing to the prevalence of undocumented children. Some parents often lack the nudge to timeously attend to their children’s documentation, resulting in increased depency on illegal service providers to access basic services.

Given that lack of access to identity documents infringes on the freedom of movement, some individuals based in South Africa have overtime been engaging cross border transporters commonly known as “Omalayitsha” to parcel their children back to Zimbabwe in time for enrollment. The transporters have become the preferred choice for many as they are often perceived as empathetic and understanding for those seeking passage across borders.

PR Councillor Lezina Mohamed emphasized the need for educational awareness campaigns to combat child smuggling and advocated for stringent penalties against drivers and parents involved in such activities, aiming to deter this illicit practice.

“I strongly feel that, we need to do awareness campaigns especially towards big holiday’s to educate people towards getting documents for their kids. I travelled over christmas and discovered that parents are paying transporters almost $200-$300 to illegally send their children across the border yet a passport valid for 10 years cost only US$270”.

“For the safety of the kids who are at great risk of facing dangers, hefty fines and penalties should be imposed to the drivers and parents even a lengthy jail term. It’s sad to say, but something has to be done,” said Cllr Lezina Mohamed.

Some parents neglect obtaining vital traveling documents such as passports for their children and instead resort to engaging cross border transporters who smuggle children across borders, exposing them to hazardous conditions and associated with these clandestine routes.

Mr Vusumuzi Ndlovu, Director of Hope for Children and Youth Foundation, emphasized that the severe risks associated with undocumented traveling underscores the urgent need to address this issue and protect vulnerable children.

“Undocumented traveling exposes children to psychological trauma from experiences like hiding under seats and crossing flooded, crocodile infested rivers, sexual and gender-based violence, physical abuse, and emotional scars from life threatening situations. Children may be abandoned by transporters (omalayitsha) during security crackdowns or even held hostage due to payment disputes between parents and transporters.”

“Most parents fail to obtain identity and travel documents for their children, particularly those born outside Zimbabwe and to address this there is need to introduce stiff penalties for parents who don’t acquire identity documents and birth certificates within a reasonable timeframe and also establishing passport application centers in rural villages to make the process easier and more accessible,” added Ndlovu.

While there are various reasons contributing to the challenge of accessing proper identity documents in Zimbabwe, parents and guardians have been accused of falling short in playing their role in ensuring that children have access to basic rights.