SA citizen wants a Zimbabwean passport

A Zimbabwe-born South African citizen has petitioned the country's immigration authorities over what she describes as unfair treatment during her recent visit to Zimbabwe.

Tyra Chante Naidoo, a holder of both a Zimbabwean birth certificate and national identity card, raised her concerns in a letter addressed to the Principal Director of Immigration. Naidoo, represented by Prisca Dube of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), claims her rights as a Zimbabwean citizen by birth have been violated due to her treatment as a mere visitor.

Naidoo was born on June 15, 1996 at the Mbuya Nehanda Maternity Hospital in Harare. Her mother was a Zimbabwean citizen at the time of her birth, and she holds official documents that affirm her Zimbabwean citizenship.

In the letter to immigration authorities, her lawyers stated: "Our client satisfies the requirements of citizenship by birth under Section 36 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe. As such, she is entitled to all the rights and privileges of a citizen, including immunity from deportation."

Despite holding a Zimbabwean birth certificate and national identity card marked CIT for citizens, Naidoo faced difficulties during her visit, leading to the expiration of her visitor's permit on June 19, 2024.

While her parents made unsuccessful attempts to obtain a Zimbabwean passport for her when she was younger, Naidoo later acquired South African citizenship in 2005. However, her lawyers argue that this does not negate her birthright as a Zimbabwean citizen, entitling her to the rights and protections outlined in the Constitution.

In the letter to immigration authorities, her lawyers stressed their intention to seek legal recourse if the issue is not addressed promptly. "Should we not have a response from your office, we will be compelled to approach the courts, seeking costs at a punitive scale," the letter stated.

As of Thursday, ZLHR confirmed that immigration authorities had yet to respond to the petition. The legal team remains hopeful that the matter will be resolved amicably without the need for court intervention.

Naidoo's case has sparked discussions about the rights of dual citizens and the treatment of individuals born in Zimbabwe but holding foreign citizenship, especially in light of the Constitution's provisions regarding the immunity of Zimbabwean citizens from deportation.