Under citizenship by birth, the draft constitution recognises that persons are Zimbabweans by birth if they were born in Zimbabwe and “when they were born either their mother or father were a Zimbabwean citizen or any of their grandparents was a Zimbabwean citizen by birth or descent”.
A person is a citizen by birth if they were born outside Zimbabwe and either of their parents was a Zimbabwean citizen and ordinarily resident in Zimbabwe or working outside Zimbabwe for the State or an international organisation.
The draft constitution says that a citizen by birth is a “child found in Zimbabwe who is, or appears to be, less than 15 years of age, and whose nationality and parents are not known”.
Citizens by descent as outlined in the COPAC draft are persons born outside Zimbabwe if either of their parents or any of their grandparents was a Zimbabwean citizen by birth or descent “or either of their parents was a Zimbabwean citizen by registration and the birth is registered in Zimbabwe in accordance with the law relating to the registration of births”.
Persons are citizens by registration if they have been married to a Zimbabwean citizen for at least five years and have successfully applied to be registered as a Zimbabwean citizen. A person is a citizen by registration if he/she has been continuously and lawfully residing in Zimbabwe for at least 10 years and has successfully applied to be registered as a Zimbabwean citizen.
The draft constitution spells out that one can qualify to be a citizen by registration if he/she is a child who is not a Zimbabwean but is adopted by a Zimbabwean citizen, and has successfully applied to be registered as a Zimbabwean citizen.
Rights and benefits of citizens as enshrined under Chapter Three of the COPAC draft constitution include protection of the State, the right to passports, birth certificates and other identity documents issued by the State.
The draft constitution provides for instances where citizenship can be revoked. These include citizenships acquired through fraud, false representation “or concealment of a material fact or citizens who assist the enemies during times of war”. However, revocation shall not render a citizen stateless and citizenship is not lost through marriage or dissolution of marriage. Dual citizenship, under the COPAC draft is not prohibited for citizens by birth.
However an Act of Parliament may prohibit dual citizenship for citizens by descent and registration. People who were previously classified as aliens are now citizens by birth if either of their parents was a citizen of SADC (as established in 1992) at the time of their birth and are entitled to enjoy rights and benefits enjoyed by other citizens.
Duties of a citizen
To be loyal to Zimbabwe
To observe the constitution
To respect its ideals and institutions
To respect the flag and anthem
To defend Zimbabwe and its sovereignty.
Post published in: News