Maravi

Sata opposes dual citizenship

Sata opposes dual citizenship
By Patson Chilemba
Sunday June 15, 2008 [04:00]

PATRIOTIC Front (PF) president Michael Sata has said dual citizenship should never be enshrined in the national constitution. Addressing a group of clergymen from various congregations who paid a courtesy call on him at his office, Sata said dual citizenship would only benefit foreigners if it were enshrined in the Constitution. Sata said the people attending the National Constitution Conference (NCC) should not auction the country to foreigners.

“Today, it’s very difficult to get a VISA to go to these foreign countries. Today people are being killed for being in South Africa, and you have a man who claims to be PF, comrade Machungwa Peter chairing the citizenship committee... where he wants to make our citizenship simple,” Sata said. “The people who are going to benefit are people with money, the Chinese, the Malaysians, the Japanese for fear of getting employment permits. And probably our colleagues who are on NCC have already been bought by those who want to become Zambians.”

Last week, the citizenship committee of the NCC resolved to allow Zambians to hold dual nationality with citizenship of other countries where it was allowed.
And the World Baptist Evangelistic Association (WBEA) awarded Sata a credential of Ambassador of Peace.

Showing solidarity over Sata’s reconciliation with President Levy Mwanawasa, WBEA spokesperson Reverend Noel Jere said his organisation was grateful for Sata’s contributions to the country’s political landscape.
Dr Jere said the Church upheld the reconciliation between President Mwanawasa and Sata.

He said Sata had shown love my reconciling with the President.
Dr Jere urged Sata to follow his heart’s direction and understand those that had different opinions over the reconciliation.

Sata assured the clergymen that he would visit their congregations to explain his stance.
“Because my crusade is for the people of Zambia to forgive Levy. He has offended so many people and we have equally offended him. He has said so many things which have offended people,” said Sata.

Labels: DUAL CITIZENSHIP, SATA

posted by MrK @ 3:08 AM