13 Feb 2017

A motion requesting government to introduce dual citizenship in Botswana was universally adopted in Parliament last week.
MP for Francistown South, Mr Wynter Mmolotsi who tabled the motion on Friday, explained that dual citizenship would have numerous benefits for citizens who also belong to another country.
The Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) legislator said the benefits included eligibility for employment, economic opportunities and services in the two countries which they belonged to.
Mr Mmolotsi said many Batswana born outside the country were currently forced to choose between the citizenship of their countries of birth or Botswana when they reached the age of 21 which disadvantaged them.
He further stated that children who had one of their parents originating from a foreign country also faced the same dilemma.
“There are many people in my constituency who have a Motswana and Zimbabwean parent who face problems when they reach the age of 21. They have their identity cards confiscated if they do not renounce the citizenship of Zimbabwe. They should be allowed to remain citizens of the two countries,” the MP said.
He argued that many progressive nations allowed dual citizenship and hence Botswana should follow suit.
“Our economy is constricting and if people were allowed to have a second country they will go there and look for employment. They will then come back and invest their money here and the country will benefit,” he explained.
While agreeing with the idea of introducing dual citizenship, Minister of Nationality, Immigration and Gender Affairs, Mr Edwin Batshu, unsuccessfully asked for debate on the motion to be stopped on the basis that he had already tabled an amendment Bill to the Citizenship Act, through which he was proposing for dual citizenship to be introduced in a restrictive way.
Mr Batshu said his ministry was also worried that the current act forbid Batswana born in other countries and citizens who married foreigners, to have dual citizenship.
MP for Serowe South, Dr Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi, agreed with the proposal for dual citizenship, but accused Mr Mmolotsi of playing politics by tabling a motion on a subject which there was already a Bill noticed in Parliament.
Supporting the motion, MP for Maun West, Mr Tawana Moremi said Parliament had the right to debate the motion irrespective of whether the minister had tabled a Bill or not. ENDS