It has been a long, hard slog, but finally, the President, Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi, has officially announced that the Botswana law on citizenship that until recently, prohibited Batswana from holding dual citizenship, has been abolished. The Ministry for State Presidents has also issued an official communication.
Speaking this past weekend during a visit to the African Gospel Church in Mandunyane, Dr Masisi said the law was archaic and deprived people of their human rights.
Last year, Batswana and civil groups heaved a collective sigh of relief, with civil groups applauding a groundbreaking citizenship judgment in which a bench of three High Court Judges declared some sections of the Citizenship Act were inconsistent with the Constitution.
This was in the case involving Sithabile Mathe, Jonas Mathe, Sunniva Mathe, Edward Egner and Megan Kelosiwang had challenged the legality of forcing their children to choose between the citizenship of one parent before turning 21.
In an unanimous judgment, delivered by Justices Professor Bugalo Maripe, Michael Leburu and Ookeditse Maphakwane declared sections 15 (1) and 15 (4) of the Citizenship Act No. 8 of 1998, which deal with dual nationality, inconsistent with and ultra vires the Constitution; and ordered both Sections struck down.
Reference: Radio Botswana News
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