Question NW2284 to the Minister of Home Affairs
09 November 2016 - NW2284
Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
(1)What is the current status of the application for the renewal of the passport of a certain person (name and details furnished); (2) (a) why was the specified person’s application for the renewal of a passport blocked, (b) why was the person flagged for investigation, (c) what were the findings against the person and (d) what steps will he take to resolve the specified matter speedily?
Reply:
(1) There is no passport application lodged on the system. However, the client is eligible to apply.
(2)(a-b) The specified person’s application for the renewal of a passport was not blocked. Markers were set on her identity number for precautionary purposes (awaiting confirmation of naturalisation requirements/ prerequisites in accordance with Section 5(5)(a) of the South African Citizenship Act, (Act no. 88 of 1995) (“the Citizenship Act”). This process was not pursuing the specified person, as it is similarly done to all foreign nationals who had acquired permanent residency and whose naturalisation process was not yet entirely concluded.
(2)(c) The investigation concluded that the applicant complied with Section 5(5)(a) of the South African Citizenship Act, 1995 (Act no. 88 of 1995). Section 5(5)(a) of the Act stipulates that the husband/wife of the South African citizen who has been married to a South African citizen for a period of two years may apply for naturalisation as a South African citizen if he/she has been permanently resident in the Republic for a period of two years after the Permanent Residence was issued.
(2)(d) Markers have been lifted on the identity number and the specified person can lodge the application for the required document (passport).