Registrar-General Mr Tobaiwa Mudede is being sued at the High Court for not allowing men to acquire birth certificates for their children in the absence of the minors’ mothers.
Justice for Children Trust (JCT), through its director Ms Petronella Nyamapfene is challenging the Registrar General’s office practice of allowing women to acquire birth certificates on behalf of their children without conducting any tests to prove paternity, but denying the same request for men whom they say must always bring the mothers of the children for them to get a birth certificate.
JCT raised the issue after a Harare man Mr Albarn Nyamadzawo approached their offices saying his daughter’s mother was not cooperating and was reportedly refusing to assist the child to acquire the birth certificate. JCT and Nyamadzawo filed an application at the High Court seeking an order compelling hospitals and other maternity health institutions to issue out birth confirmation records of children to their fathers on request. They are also seeking an order compelling the Registrar General’s office to issue birth certificates to children in the absence of their mothers. JCT and Nyamadzawo are also seeking an order for costs against Mudede and Home Affairs Minister Obert Mpofu in their official capacities.
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