20 Jul 2018

Ntlo Ya Dikgosi has learnt that whilst Dikgosi have been accepted to support applications of citizenship as Additional Sponsors, it is noted that Regulation 28 of the Citizenship Regulations, 2004 has not listed them as such. Minister of Land Management Water and Sanitation Services, Mr Kefentse Mzwinila informed Ntlo Ya Dikgosi that the exclusion was an omission by the Ministry of Nationality, Immigration and Gender Affairs.

Mr Mzwinila who was answering a question on behalf of Minister of Nationality, Immigration and Gender Affairs  further said the ministry would rectify the omission by reviewing the Citizenship Regulations, 2004, with a view to include Dikgosi as additional Sponsors.

He said once the Regulations have been reviewed, there would be no need to consider the appointment of Dikgosi as authorised tribal officers for the purposes of implementing the Citizenship Act.

 Mr Mzwinila was responding to question asked by North East Region Kgosi Rebecca Banika, who had asked the minister to state why Dikgosi were excluded from being additional sponsors of some people residing in their tribal territories.  She also wanted to know the number of Dikgosi who had been appointed as authorised tribal officers since enactment of the Citizenship Act of July 2004. ENDS