South Africa: Concourt brings relief to children of foreign parents

Published: 26/Feb/2020
Source: Ground Up (Cape Town)

By Tania Broughton

It has taken four years of legal battles, but now if you were born in South Africa to foreign parents you can apply for citizenship.

It has been an “agonizing journey” for those who consider South Africa to be their only home.

The Department of Home Affairs opposition to the court bid by five adults, representing others in a similar situation, for the vindication of their rights, was dealt a death blow by the Constitutional Court last week. The court simply ruled that it would not hear any further argument on the matter.

The department had not filed its papers in time, and it had not given good reason for this.

What this means for Mariam Ali, Aden Salih, Kanu Nkololo, Caroline Masuki, Murphy Nganga and any others “similarly situated” is that their previous victory in the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) now stands.

In terms of that order, the minister must accept their applications for citizenship and make a decision within ten days.

Read further: https://www.groundup.org.za/article/concourt-decision-brings-relief-children-foreign-parents/

Themes: Naturalisation and Marriage
Regions: South Africa
Year: 2020