Question NW1056 to the Minister of Home Affairs

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16 May 2018 - NW1056

Profile picture: Mulder, Dr CP

Mulder, Dr CP to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

(1)What number of South Africans emigrated (a) in the financial year (i) 2013-14, (ii) 2014-15, (iii) 2015-16, (iv) 2016-17 and (v) 2017-18 and (b) since 1 April 2018 to (i) Australia and New Zealand, (ii) the United Kingdom and Europe, (iii) the Far East and (iv) North and South America; (2) Whether he will make a statement on the matter?

Reply:

1. South African citizens that leave the borders of the Republic do not register their purpose to emigrate hence there is no formal record by the department of South Africans emigrating to above countries.

There is no provision in legislation that compel the South African citizen to do so; Furthermore there is no reason to do so as South Africa permits dual citizenship. The only instance the department keeps these records, is when South African citizens are compelled by countries not permitting dual citizenship, to renounce their citizenship, moreover the information in this regard would not necessarily provide an adequate response to the question raised.

The Honourable Member may refer this question to Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) for information of South Africans residing in these countries as some foreign missions ordinarily keep such records.

2. No.

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