By Sinenhlanhla Masilela|<\/p>\n
The North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria has rejected an application from the Minister of Home Affairs and the Director-General of Home Affairs to overturn a previous ruling that granted Mikhail Sakharov, a foreign national, South African citizenship by naturalisation.<\/p>\n
Judge Selemeng Mokose rejected the department’s attempt to rescind a September 2024 order that directed Home Affairs to recognise Sakharov’s citizenship, register his birth and issue him with an identity document. The court further found the department in contempt for failing to comply with that order.<\/p>\n
The dispute arose after Sakharov, who obtained permanent residence in South Africa in December 2013 and had been married to a South African citizen for more than five years, sought to apply for citizenship by naturalisation.<\/p>\n
According to court papers, officials at the department repeatedly refused to accept his citizenship application and insisted that he first apply for verification of his permanent residence permit.<\/p>\n
Sakharov approached the high court in 2024 to review the department’s refusal. The matter proceeded unopposed and in September 2024 and the court declared him a South African citizen by naturalisation and ordered home affairs to take the necessary administrative steps to formalise his status within 30 days.<\/p>\n