Mashonaland East enumerators were stuck at the Marondera district office on the first day of the census after no-one had organised fuel for the vehicles they were supposed to travel in. Officially, the census was supposed to start on August 17, however, enumerators were still at their bases by the afternoon of August 18.
No money to start
An enumerator working in Ward 19 in Chitungwiza said logistical problems had prevented them from starting their work.
“The communication that we got was that there was no money to carry out the logistical arrangements for us to start the process,” he said,
The delays have raised fears that enumerators will not finish counting people within the prescribed time frame set by the Zimbabwe National Statistical Agency.
“Each and every one of us is expected to count at least 100 families within the 10-day counting period. While it seems easy to accomplish we had a false start due to a number of technical complications,” said an enumerator in Budiriro 2 who identified himself as James.
“Apart from counting the physical numbers of people, we also record statistics of educational qualifications and disabilities of family members,” he added.
No education
There was inadequate education on the importance of the census among some residents with some refusing to give personal information to enumerators. The involvement of the military has also triggered suspicion among locals.
The census was almost cancelled last week after thousands of soldiers around the country stormed centres where enumerators – mostly teachers – had gathered for the final session of their three-month training.
The soldiers drove the teachers out and demanded that they take over the counting, for which enumerators are paid $90 a day.
“A lot of people, especially in the high density suburbs, are treating this year’s census with suspicion because of the involvement of the security forces”.
“In suburbs like Makokoba and Mzilikazi, household owners are chasing away the enumerators,” said an enumerator who refused to be named for fear of victimisation.
Another enumerator said some people were locking themselves in their houses. “It now very difficult to know who is a genuine enumerator,” said one local.
“Since 1980 teachers and other civil servants have provided the bulk of enumerators. Why involve soldiers this time around? How do we know that the information we are going to provide is not going to end up in the wrong hands?”
It is premature to say the process and outcome will be distorted. Qualitative and quantitative methods will be used in data gathering and compilation and our enumerators are well trained to do their job,” Mapeta said.
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