Section 39: Revocation of citizenship

Constitution of Zimbabwe

(1) Zimbabwean citizenship by registration may be revoked if—

(a) the person concerned acquired the citizenship by fraud, false representation or

concealment of a material fact; or

(b) during a war in which Zimbabwe was engaged, the person concerned unlawfully

traded or communicated with an enemy or was engaged in or associated with any

business that was knowingly carried on so as to assist an enemy in that war.

(2) Zimbabwean citizenship by birth may be revoked if––

(a) the citizenship was acquired by fraud, false representation or concealment of a material

fact by any person; or

(b) in the case of a person referred to in section 36(3), the person’s nationality or

parentage becomes known, and reveals that the person was a citizen of another

country.

(3) Zimbabwean citizenship must not be revoked under this section if the person would be rendered stateless.

AI Insights

This section establishes safeguards against citizenship fraud while protecting basic human rights. Key points:

Citizenship may be revoked for fraud or enemy collaboration during wartime
Even citizenship by birth can be revoked in cases of fraud or discovery of foreign citizenship
The final clause importantly prevents statelessness, aligning with international human rights standards

This balances national security interests with the fundamental right to nationality.