Cabinet approves overhaul of laws on citizenship, immigration

The draft policy was published in November last year for public comment despite widespread criticism from civil society.

The minister said public hearings in all nine provinces on the white paper received wide support, and only a handful of public interest groups were opposed to the policy changes.

Motsoaledi addressed the media in Pretoria on Wednesday.

"The white paper makes radical proposals regarding citizenship; Section 4 (3) of the Citizenship Act requires to be reviewed, together with other sections, including those relating to citizenship by naturalisation during the legislative process.

"The Citizenship Act and Births and Deaths Registration Act must be repealed in their entirety and be included in the single legislation dealing with citizenship, immigration and refugee protection.

"This will remove contradictions and loopholes in the paths towards citizenship as is now the case with the three pieces of legislation."

"The criteria for granting any form of citizenship must be strictly in accordance with the law; a proper register should be kept for all persons granted citizenship by naturalisation by the minister. The register must be tabled every year in Parliament by the minister, " he said.

Motsolaedi explained that the government must withdraw or review the 1951 United Nations Refugees Convention with a view to accepting them with reservations like other countries.

“South Africa does not have the resources to grant all the socio-economic rights envisaged in the 1951 convention. Remember, these rights were developed for all the countries, rich and poor, and there will be those countries which will find there won’t be a problem, but others will,” he added.

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