On 6 May 2025, the Constitutional Court of South Africa made an important decision about a law that caused some South Africans to lose their South African citizenship. The court said that part of the South African Citizenship Act, 1995(Act No. 88 of 1995), specifically section 6(1)(a), is unconstitutional, which means it goes against the country’s Constitution. Since 6 October 1995, this section of the law said that if a South African citizen became a citizen of another country without first getting permission from the government, they would automatically lose their South African citizenship. But the Court decided this rule was unfair and should not be allowed. This ruling means that South Africans now have stronger rights to keep their citizenship, even if they become citizens of another country. Having dual citizenship can be helpful: It can make it easier to travel, work, study, or visit family in other countries. It may also give people access to healthcare and financial services in both countries.

Download Mbalo Brief – May 2025