ATM decries ConCourt Citizenship Act ruling

The African Transformation Movement (ATM) has decried what it deemed a “reckless decision” by the Constitutional Court to declare Section 6 (1)(a) of the Citizenship Act unconstitutional.

This after the Apex Court upheld a Supreme Court of Appeal decision which struck down a provision of the Citizenship Act.

In terms of the provision, South African citizens lost their citizenship automatically if they voluntarily acquired citizenship in another country, unless they had prior permission from the Ministry of Home Affairs.

According to ATM, the ruling is nothing short of a betrayal of South Africa’s sovereignty and is tantamount to allowing dual citizenship without restrictions.

ATM national spokesperson, Zama Ntshona, says the Constitutional Court did not put South African citizens first when taking this decision.

“What the Constitutional Court has done, is to allow people that have sworn allegiance to a foreign country to enjoy full rights of a South African, including occupying public office. The Constitutional Court’s decision has not only misjudged this matter but has crossed a line, trampling on the will of the people and what is in their best interest. By striking down this law the court has set a dangerous precedent, one that seeks to erode our national identity and leaving us exposed to foreign influences that could undermine our hard-won freedom.”

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