NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION 3111
DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 15 November 2013
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 38 of 2013
Mr M Mnqasela (DA) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:
Are persons restricted from obtaining South African citizenship solely on
the grounds that they work outside the country for more than 90 days per
year; if so, what is the reasoning behind such a restriction?
NW3668E
REPLY:
No. All persons who apply for a certificate of naturalisation must meet the
prescribed requirements before such a person qualifies for naturalisation.
The requirements are stipulated in the South African Citizenship Amendment
Act, 2010 (Act No 17 of 2010).
One of the requirements, in terms of section 5(1)(c) of the above-mentioned
Act, stipulates that any person who has been absent from the Republic of
South Africa (RSA) for a period of more than 90 days in any year during the
five year period of ordinary residence immediately preceding the date of
application for naturalisation, does not qualify for naturalisation. The
requirement is informed by the need for an individual to demonstrate
genuine commitment and interest in being a citizen of the RSA.