13 Jul 2020

Minister of Nationality, Immigration and Gender Affairs, Ms Annah Mokgethi says her office  is seized with many applications from Bobonong seeking resumption of Botswana citizenship.

Speaking during a meeting with COVID-19 teams, dikgosi, councilors, social workers and village development committee members addressed by the Vice President Mr Slumber Tsogwane, in Bobonong on July 9, Ms Mokgethi observed that people with dual citizenship usually  left it until when they had automatically lost Botswana citizenship to apply to renounce citizenship of the other country.

She noted that people, especially in Bobonong, applied for Botswana citizenship late and in large numbers.

Ms Mokgethi however, said that a bill had been passed in Parliament that would ameliorate the situation.

The Gaborone Bonnington North legislator said that the bill stated that whoever had a dual citizenship would automatically lose citizenship of the other country and remain with that of Botswana until they apply to the contrary.

At the moment, section 15 of citizenship act stipulates that anyone with dual citizenship will automatically lose Botswana citizenship after attainment of 21 years, Ms Mokgethi elucidated.

Currently, Ms Mokgethi informed attendants, a child born to a Motswana and a foreigner residing in Botswana gets Omang when they attain 16 years, but would be expected to renounce the citizenship of the other country before they are 21.

She warned that immediately after attaining 21 years, Botswana citizenship automatically fell off and therefore a person would require to apply for resumption of Botswana citizenship as per section 17 of citizenship act.

Many people, she said, realised they failed to renounce when they applied for renewal of Omang (national identity card).

“Don’t be angry, it is the law,” explained Minister Mokgethi who then advised that those who found themselves in such a situation should seek assistance from immigration offices.

On other issues, Ms Mokgethi reminded that applications for new IDs and renewal of expired ones was still on hold.

The minister explained that the move was necessitated by high number of people who thronged their offices seeking either to renew or apply for new cards.

However, she explained that expired Omang remained in force until further notice.

Also, collection of ready Omang was allowed and services as registration of societies and change of names were ongoing.

Minister Mokgethi said number  of church members attending a service had been increased from 50 to 75 while meetings of societies remained at 50.

She said that church services were allowed from Friday to Sunday, but cleared that those who wanted to hold services on Thursday were at liberty to do so. ENDS