Zim alien stripped of Botswana citizenship

When revoking the citizenship of Bernard Nvundla, who obtained a Botswana national identity card (Omang) in Tonota under false pretences using the names Chidzane Mafaya, Chief Magistrate Mareledi Dipate clarified the inherent risks associated with foreigners who obtain national documents illegally. In the past, the courts here decried the fact that cases of foreigners, especially Zimbabweans, who obtained Omang through fraudulent means were prevalent in the country.

The courts lamented that foreigners who obtained Omang through fraudulent means were competing with Batswana for government services and assistance that were solely the preserve of Batswana. Obtaining Omang fraudulently, the courts added, was a serious offence because the concerned fraudsters may also decide leaders of the country since they can use the document to register for elections and thereafter vote. Nvundla, who later married a local woman and was arrested when he tried to renew his Omang in Maun where he was working at NTT Nissan, subsequently managed to make a Botswana passport with the aid of the Omang that he had obtained illegally.