Zimbabawe Statistics Agency: National Population Census Big Success

The Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (Zimstat) says it has successfully completed its mop-up exercise countrywide covering areas that could have been left out during the 10-day national population census.

Zimstat census manager Washington Mapeta said his organisation is now in the process of collecting questionnaires from enumerators in order to start collating the data.

Mapeta said enumarators would start receiving their allowances soon following the release of $8 million by the government.

The census, which was initially crippled by suspected ZANU PF supporters and security forces who took over the training workshops nationwide, was conducted between 17 and 27 August.

The United Nations Population Fund has also released $12 million for conducting the exercise.

At least 30,000 enumerators were hired to gather field data in all parts of Zimbabwe.

Mapeta said: "Field reports have started trickling in from Chitungwiza and Highfields in Harare and we also expect to recieve questionnaires from other districts," said Mapeta.

Interview With Washington Mapeta

Zimbabwe holds a census every 10 years. The last one conducted in 2002 indicated that the country's population stood at 11,6 million.