Zimbabweans Struggle To Get Birth Certificates, IDs; Treasury Cites Shortage Of Funds

Zimbabwe is facing a growing shortage of essential materials needed to print birth certificates, national identity documents (IDs) and official receipt books.

The scarcity of these civil documents has wide-reaching effects, leaving both children and adults unable to enrol in school, sit national examinations, secure employment, access banking services or obtain passports.

During a question-and-answer session in the National Assembly on 11 February 2026, Chiredzi Central Ropafadzo Makumire (CCC) demanded explanations over the nationwide crisis in issuing civil documents.

The Registrar General’s Department, responsible for registering births and deaths and issuing national identity documents, services that underpin citizenship, voting rights, school enrolment and passport applications, falls under the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage.

Responding to the concerns, Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe acknowledged the shortage but said the government was working to resolve it. He said:

“We have identified the problem and spelt out that we have a shortage of papers to print birth certificates and other consumables.

“I believe the Ministry of Finance is rectifying that issue because the Registrar General’s Department, if they want money, they go through the Treasury.”

Kazembe suggested that the ministry would seek authority to retain a portion of its own revenue, allowing the Registrar General’s Department to purchase essential supplies when stocks run low.

The discussion soon turned to the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, amid claims that centralised control of funds was hampering service delivery.

Makumire questioned why departments that generate revenue must “beg” the Treasury for operational funds.

Deputy Minister of Finance David Kudakwashe Mnangagwa defended the Treasury’s procedures, explaining how government revenue is collected and allocated. Said Mnangagwa:

“97 percent of it comes from tax revenue … income tax, VAT and all those taxes that we pay. That money goes into the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

“Then three percent is the money that comes from non-tax revenues, including Registrar General, ZINARA and other fees that we collect.

“All the money that is collected from ministries is put in the same pot. We do not consider where the money is coming from. That is the money that is used to pay salaries and other things.”

Mnangagwa said revenue collection is usually lower in the first months of the year, which limits how much money can be released immediately.

But another CCC MP, Corban Madzivanyika, argued the real problem lies with the Treasury. He said other ministries received more than 300% of their budgets in 2025, while Home Affairs remained short of funds.

Mnangagwa said once funds are allocated, prioritisation is up to the line ministries.

When asked when the crisis would end, he did not give a timeline, saying payments depend on available revenue.

Kazembe added that the materials are already produced locally by Fidelity Printers and Refiners, but the problem is paying for them.