Section 43: Continuation and restoration of previous citizenship
Constitution of Zimbabwe
(1) Every person who, immediately before the publication day, was a Zimbabwean citizen continues to be a Zimbabwean citizen after that date.
(2) Every person who was born in Zimbabwe before the publication day is a Zimbabwean citizen by birth if—
(a) one or both of his or her parents was a citizen of a country which became a member of
the Southern African Development Community established by the treaty signed at
Windhoek in the Republic of Namibia on the 17th August, 1992; and
(b) he or she was ordinarily resident in Zimbabwe on the publication day.
CHAPTER 4
DECLARATION OF RIGHTS
PART 1
A PPLICATION AND INTERPRETATION OF CHAPTER 4
Insight: This section ensures continuity of citizenship after Zimbabwe's constitutional changes, and notably extends citizenship by birth to those born in Zimbabwe with parents from SADC countries. This represents a progressive approach to citizenship in the regional context, recognizing historical migration patterns within Southern Africa and protecting the status of existing citizens during constitutional transition.