In a landmark decision, the Constitutional Court has ruled that Section 6(1)(a) of the South African Citizenship Act is unconstitutional — a verdict that could restore citizenship to thousands of South Africans who unknowingly lost it.
Until now, the law stated that South Africans would automatically lose their citizenship if they voluntarily acquired the citizenship of another country, unless they had applied for and received prior permission to retain their South African status.
The Court found this provision to be unjust and unconstitutional, as it allowed for the loss of citizenship without proper notice or due process — a reality that left many citizens unaware they had been stripped of their nationality.
This ruling opens the door for affected individuals to reclaim their South African citizenship, restoring rights and identity that may have been lost for years.
Legal experts say the decision is a major victory for constitutional rights and reinforces the principle that citizenship cannot be taken away without fair legal procedure.
