Gov’t revokes Mukandila’s citizenship

…renders him stateless after the National Registration Office verified and authenticated his documents in 2017 as having dully obtained, but only to canceled on allegations that his immigration status was unknown By BARNABAS ZULUTONSE Pamodzi Alliance secretary general Celestine Mukandila was yesterday declared stateless after government moved to revoke his Zambian citizenship by cancelling his National Registration Card and the Zambian passport.Chief Sokontwe of the Ushi people in Luapula Province recentaly told the nation that Mr Mukandila was in fact Zambian having been born in his chiefdom after the Immigration Department arrested and detained him on grounds that his immigration status was known known.But In 2017, the National Registration Office declared Mr Mukandila a Zambian citizen after verifying that his National Registration Card was in fact authentic following his dismissal from the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA).In a letter dated 22 November, 2017, the RTSA wrote to Mr Mukandila, reinstating him on his job after it was established that he was a Zambian with an authentic NRC. But yesterday, government in a Gazette Notice No. 1418 of 2026 revoked the NRC and Zambian passport for Mr Mukandila on claims that the documents had been cancelled and declared invalid for identification, travel and any official purpose.“Notice is hereby given that the National Registration Card and Zambian Passport specified in the Schedule to this Notice have been cancelled and declared invalid, following a determination that the documents were obtained through fraud, false declaration and/or misrepresentation,” the notice states.The notice warns members of the public, Government institutions, financial institutions, border control authorities and law enforcement agencies not to accept, recognise or rely upon the cancelled documents.It further states that any use of the cancelled documents for travel or any official purpose may constitute an offence.The Government has directed any person in possession of the affected documents to surrender them immediately to the Department of National Registration, Passport and Citizenship, the nearest police station or passport office.The notice, signed by D. Matembo on behalf of the relevant authorities, does not provide details of the alleged fraud, false declaration or misrepresentation that led to the cancellation of Ms Mukandila’s documents.Ms Mukandila is a member of the Tonse Alliance, which has been involved in the country’s ongoing political contestation following the August 13, 2026 general elections.The cancellation of the documents comes amid heightened political tensions and scrutiny of individuals associated with opposition political groups.However, the Gazette Notice itself does not state that the cancellation is politically motivated or provide any connection between Ms Mukandila’s political affiliation and the decision.The Government has urged all relevant institutions to comply with the directive and ensure that the cancelled documents are not used or accepted for official purposes.

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