The cabinet has accepted the white paper, according to Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi. Its goal is to update the laws governing immigration, refugee protection, and citizenship.
In November of last year, the draft policy was made available for public comment, despite strong opposition from civil society.
The minister said that there was broad support for the public hearings on the white paper in all nine provinces, and that the policy changes were opposed mainly by a small number of public interest groups.
On Wednesday, Motsoaledi spoke to the media in Pretoria.
The Citizenship Act’s Section 4(3) and other parts, particularly those pertaining to citizenship via naturalization, must be reconsidered during the legislative process, according to the white paper’s radical suggestions on citizenship.
“The entire Citizenship Act and the Births and Deaths Registration Act ought to be repealed and incorporated into a single piece of legislation that addresses immigration, citizenship, and refugee protection.
“This will remove contradictions and loopholes in the paths towards citizenship as is now the case with the three pieces of legislation.”
“Any kind of citizenship must be awarded in strict compliance with the law, and all individuals who are granted citizenship through naturalization by the minister should have their names entered in a proper record. The minister is required to present the registry to Parliament annually,” he declared.
In order to welcome them with reservations like other nations, Motsolaedi clarified that the government must either revoke or reconsider the 1951 United Nations Refugees Convention.
“South Africa lacks the funding necessary to provide all of the socioeconomic rights outlined in the 1951 convention. Recall that these rights were created for all nations, wealthy and poor. While some will have no issues, others will, the speaker continued.
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