Citizens’ Coalition for Change (CCC) legislator Bridget Nyandoro has announced plans to introduce a motion in Parliament advocating for mandatory DNA testing of all newborns in Zimbabwe.
Her proposal comes in response to a concerning rise in gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide cases reportedly tied to paternity disputes. The push for compulsory testing is also driven by the increasing number of men discovering—often years later—that they are not the biological fathers of the children they have raised.
Speaking at the Action Indaba on Gender-Based Violence held in Harare, Nyandoro, who represents Southern Constituency in the National Assembly, emphasized the preventative potential of her proposal.
“I intend to bring a motion before Parliament for DNA tests to be conducted at birth,” she said. “I understand this may not sit well with everyone, but I genuinely believe it can help reduce gender-based violence. We’ve witnessed tragic incidents where women are killed after decades—sometimes 22 years—when the truth about paternity comes out.”
Nyandoro also highlighted the psychological damage that paternity revelations can inflict on children, particularly when discovered later in life. She argued that early testing would protect children from emotional trauma and help foster honesty within families from the outset.
Her views were echoed by political activist Linda Masarira, who recently sparked debate by calling for similar measures.
“While this might be an unpopular stance among some women, the truth must be spoken,” Masarira said. “There are too many instances where men are emotionally manipulated or coerced into raising children who are not biologically theirs. This is not just financially draining—it’s deeply damaging on a personal and psychological level.”
Masarira labeled such situations a form of deception that undermines mental health, trust, and dignity, calling for reforms to address the growing social concern.
The proposal is likely to generate significant debate, with opinions divided over its ethical, cultural, and legal implications.
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