AfriForum welcomes Constitutional Court’s landmark decision

AfriForum welcomes the Constitutional Court’s confirmation earlier today of a 2023 order by the Supreme Court of Appeal that Section 6(1) (a) of the South African Citizenship Act 88 of 1995 is unconstitutional and invalid.

The organisation describes today’s decision as a milestone for thousands of South Africans abroad who, based on this section, automatically lost their citizenship when they, without ministerial permission, acquired the citizenship of another country.

 “The ruling is a giant victory for every South African abroad who lost their citizenship through the application of this section,” explains Sue-Ann de Wet, Head of Diaspora at AfriForum. “Citizenship is incredibly important. It creates a sense of belonging and contributes to a person’s identity.”

De Wet stresses that it is regrettable that it has taken the South African government almost three decades to finally rectify this injustice.

She describes this injustice as “one that has often unknowingly deprived thousands of South Africans of their constitutional rights”.

 She believes that this section of the Citizenship Act was one of many ways in which the South African government alienates South African emigrants. The government’s blatant alienation of South Africans abroad is also evident in the Tax Laws Amendment Act, which aims to extract even more money from South Africans working abroad.

“Our people abroad are our foremost ambassadors and must be helped to maintain their identity. One thing is certain – if the state of South Africa’s political and safety environment had been different, far fewer South Africans would have left to seek greener pastures,” concludes De Wet.

AfriForum