Tonse Alliance Secretary General Celestin Mukandila has challenged the cancellation of his National Registration Card (NRC) and passport, insisting that he is a Zambian citizen by descent.
Mukandila, 36, through a Facebook statement, says he was born in 1990 in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo, to a Zambian mother and a Congolese father.
He argues that under Article 36 of the Zambian Constitution, a person born outside Zambia qualifies for citizenship by descent if at least one parent was a Zambian citizen by birth or descent at the time of their birth.
Mukandila says he therefore became a Zambian citizen at birth through his mother and did not acquire citizenship through naturalisation.
He has also questioned why his nationality is being challenged over the circumstances in which he obtained his NRC as a minor.
Mukandila says he was about 16 years old when he became eligible for national registration and argues that, if the State alleges fraud in obtaining his NRC, it should identify the alleged fraud, who committed it and the legal basis for holding him responsible.
He says his family returned to Zambia in 1999, although his mother continued to spend time in the Democratic Republic of Congo because of her employment.
Mukandila has also pointed out that he previously served as a civil servant and underwent government vetting and verification processes without his nationality being raised as an issue.
He has questioned why his citizenship is being challenged now if there were concerns about his nationality or registration documents.
Mukandila has called on authorities to explain the legal basis for the cancellation of his NRC and passport, the evidence of alleged fraud, and the procedure followed before the decision was made.
He has also questioned the involvement of a Permanent Secretary in the process, arguing that public officers must exercise their powers according to the law.
Mukandila says he is ready to have questions surrounding his nationality determined through the courts but insists that he should be afforded due process.
He maintains that the issue is not about seeking special treatment but ensuring that the law is followed and that his rights are protected.
JUST TO UNLOCK YOUR
THE government yesterday through the Ministry of home affairs invalided his passport and NRC, saying they were fraudulently obtained!
[Brave Heart News | UnlockingMinds]
Comments
No comments yet. Be the first to comment!
Leave a Comment