In a historic move expected to end racial profiling, Government yesterday abolished the \u201c00\u201d code used to identify persons of mixed race, Caucasians and Asians on national identity cards.<\/p>\n
Presenting a ministerial statement in the National Assembly yesterday, Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe said the system segmented access to the mainstream economy on racial grounds.<\/p>\n
Minister Kazembe said although the system had no legal basis, it had remained in use post-independence, prompting some affected citizens to petition Parliament for it\u2019s abolishment.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe divisive system of racial profiling was at the detriment of society who found it to be hindering their quest to participate fully in mainstream economic activities,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Minister Kazembe said following consultations with affected communities, Government had decided to abolish the system adding that under President Mnangagwa\u2019s administration, there was no room for such discriminatory systems.<\/p>\n
The Civil Registry Department has since been directed to re-code identification cards bearing the \u201c00\u2019\u2019 code to ensure citizens enjoy their constitutional rights without colonially defined and derogatory inferences.<\/p>\n
Minister Kazembe said the policy shift conforms to provisions of the Constitution which relate to citizenship, equality and non-discrimination.<\/p>\n
Those who require to have their IDs re-coded should approach their nearest Civil Registry Department offices with original and copies of birth certificates and IDs. The re-coding programme is not time bound and will run concurrently with the Civil Registry Department normal work.<\/p>\n
Minister Kazembe said the re-coding would ensure a new epoch for the country in which all citizens move in unison and harmony towards common goals and aspirations.<\/p>\n