Dual citizenship to be banned

The Herald, 27 August, 1981

THE Government can and will act to abolish dual citizenship and force people to choose their allegiance, the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Senator Simbi Mubako, said in Salisbury yesterday.

Speaking to the National Unifying Force on the problems of the Lancaster House Constitution, he emphasised that any alteration would be done by entirely legal processes.

The provisions relating to dual citizenship are not entrenched in the Constitution to the extent that it is for all practical purposes impossible alter them.

“The Government can act, and the Government will act, to correct this unnecessary permissiveness.”

Senator Mubako said the retention of dual citizenship had caused the Government many headaches.

“For example, there are senior civil servants who have Zimbabwean and South African citizenship. Quite apart from the security risk these people may pose . . . it seems to me inconceivable that a person can hold allegiance to two countries which have such conflicting ideals, aims and politics.”

Large numbers of whites, especially those in the public service, had emigrated and the Government had to know how long each person presently in the public service would take to make up his mind.

Promotion and training were difficult to organise. People were being trained for particular posts, then leaving and forcing the public service to quickly train replacements.

Manpower planning throughout the country was affected and the present survey project hampered because information was continually becoming outdated.

LESSONS FOR TODAY

The ban on dual citizenship in Zimbabwe after independence was primarily motivated by a desire for national unity, political stability, economic control, historical context regarding land reform issues, legal clarity regarding citizenship status, and a response mechanism against political opposition.

However, the 2013 Constitution allows for dual nationality for individuals who are citizens by birth, yet the Citizenship Act of 1984 prohibits it. This inconsistency can lead to confusion regarding the rights and status of citizens, particularly those with ties to other countries. Individuals may find themselves in precarious situations where their citizenship rights are ambiguous or contested, leading to potential legal challenges.

A ban on dual citizenship could hinder efforts to engage the diaspora community effectively, as many members may feel less inclined to invest or participate in national affairs if they perceive that their rights are not recognized or respected.