14 Mar 2018

Parliament has been told that any person who is a citizen of Botswana and also a citizen of another country shall, upon the attainment of the age of 21 years, cease to be a citizen of Botswana unless such a person has, immediately after the attainment of the age of 21 years, renounced the citizenship of that country.

Answering a question in Parliament from the MP for Ramotswa, Mr Samuel Rantuana, the Minister of Nationality, Immigration and Gender Affairs, Mr Edwin Batshu explained that the person shall also take the oath of allegiance; and make such declaration of intentions concerning residence as may be prescribed.

Minister Batshu said his ministry had been and continued to educate the public on requirements of the law and advising as well as assisting those affected on a case-by-case basis depending on the circumstances of each case.

MP Rantuana had asked the minister to explain what government was doing to assist people born of parents from Botswana and other countries, who grew up in this country and had reached the age of 21, so that they were able to renew their identity cards or passports without having to denounce the citizenship of their non-Motswana parent while the Citizenship Act is still under review. Ends