How do you apply for Deprivation — fraud/misrepresentation in naturalisation (s8(1))?

• s8(3): on deprivation under s8 or s10 the person ceases to be a citizen with effect from a date the Minister directs; the certificate of naturalisation (or other status certificate) must be surrendered and cancelled, and refusal/failure on demand to surrender is an offence (fine or imprisonment up to 5 years). - s25 gives any provincial or local division of the High Court jurisdiction to REVIEW any decision of the Minister under the Act, to call for reasons, and to consider the merits and confirm, vary or set aside the decision — the judicial-review forum for deprivation, loss, renunciation-refusal and resumption-refusal decisions.

Do you have to renounce your current citizenship for Deprivation — fraud/misrepresentation in naturalisation (s8(1))?

No — this South Africa route does not require renouncing your current citizenship.

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Deprivation — fraud/misrepresentation in naturalisation (s8(1))

Citizenship in South Africa

Eligibility: The Minister may by order deprive a South African citizen by naturalisation of citizenship where the certificate of naturalisation was obtained by fraud, false representation or concealment of a material fact, or was granted in conflict with the Act or any prior law (s8(1) of the Citizenship Act 88 of 1995). This deprivation power applies only to naturalised citizens, remains operative, and the affected person may seek review of the decision in the High Court.
Timeline: Multi-step adjudication (deprivation/court process).
Renunciation: Not required

Overview

The Minister may by order deprive a South African citizen by naturalisation of citizenship where the certificate of naturalisation was obtained by fraud, false representation or concealment of a material fact, or was granted in conflict with the Act or any prior law (s8(1) of the Citizenship Act 88 of 1995). This deprivation power applies only to naturalised citizens, remains operative, and the affected person may seek review of the decision in the High Court.

How to apply

s8(3): on deprivation under s8 or s10 the person ceases to be a citizen with effect from a date the Minister directs; the certificate of naturalisation (or other status certificate) must be surrendered and cancelled, and refusal/failure on demand to surrender is an offence (fine or imprisonment up to 5 years). - s25 gives any provincial or local division of the High Court jurisdiction to REVIEW any decision of the Minister under the Act, to call for reasons, and to consider the merits and confirm, vary or set aside the decision — the judicial-review forum for deprivation, loss, renunciation-refusal and resumption-refusal decisions.

Legal basis

Primary statute: SA Citizenship Act 88 of 1995 s8(1). Operative 1995-10-06–present. Authority: Minister of Home Affairs / Department of Home Affairs (DHA).

Example scenarios

Exposed to deprivation under s8(1).
s8(1) lets the Minister deprive a citizen BY NATURALISATION whose certificate 'was obtained by means of fraud, false representation or the concealment of a material fact'; Boris's false residence claim is squarely within the ground. The order is reviewable on the merits by the High Court (s25), and on deprivation he reverts to his prior nationality (s11(1)).
Not exposed under s8(1) — that ground reaches naturalised citizens only.
s8(1) is confined to deprivation of citizens 'by naturalisation'; it has no application to a citizen by birth. Any deprivation of a dual-national birth citizen would have to proceed (if at all) under s8(2), not s8(1).

Informational summary compiled from primary legal sources — not legal advice. Citizenship law changes; verify with the competent authority before acting. Last verified 2026-07-01.

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Track changes to this route

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