06 Mar 2019

Mochudi East MP, Mr Moagi Molebatsi, has pleaded with government to encourage the awarding of dual citizenship status to  Batswana living abroad.

Contributing to the Ministry of Nationality, Immigration and Gender Affairs 2019/2020 budget proposal, Mr Molebatsi said Botswana had in recent times experienced an upsurge in skilled personnel relocation to countries who in the process ceased their birth country’s nationality over their adoptive nations.

He said it was disappointing to note that Botswana had invested on sending its citizenry abroad on education programme only for some to relocate permanently abroad, something which he said could be addressed by encouraging Batswana abroad to apply for dual citizenship rather than terminating citizenship of their country of origin.

He contended that people that held dual citizenship had the privileges and benefits which come with citizenship from two different countries adding that they could potentially vote in elections, serve in office or take advantage of the social systems of both nations.

The dual citizen ownership, he said, would also reduce travel restrictions since work permits were not required to be employed in either nation.

Contributing on the debate, Tlokweng legislator Mr Masego Segokgo supported the awarding of dual citizenship to Batswana who had relocated abroad saying the exercise will ensure that the country do not completely lose its citizens to developed countries.

The dual citizenship will enable Batswana abroad to at some point contribute immensely to the country’s economy.

He also implored the ministry to keep an eye on certain illusive individuals who trick Batswana into relocating abroad with the promise of greener pastures.

He also pleaded with the Ministry of Nationality to cohesively work with other law enforcement personnel in strengthening boarder patrols as illegal immigrants continue to enter the country at un-gazetted points due to the bad state of the border fence.

Tonota MP, Mr Thapelo Olopeng called on the ministry to intervene in the registration and issuing out of Omang Identity Cards to Bazezuru community who make up the bulk of his constituency.

He raised a concern on the high numbers of Bazezuru who do not possess ID cards, a thing which he said deprive them the right to benefit from government policies and poverty eradication programmes  alike, hence pleaded with the ministry relevant to conduct more community outreach programmes in his constituency.

For his part, Okavango MP, Mr Bagalatia Arone appealed to government to create excess border posts to communities along the north of the Okavango delta instead of using the longer Mohembo route to enter into Namibia. ENDS