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Republic of South Africa
Loss and deprivation of Nationality
South Africa scores -2.5 out of 1 for loss and deprivation of nationality. The law does allow dual nationality but makes provision for automatic loss of nationality under certain circumstances, without providing a safeguard against statelessness. Unfortunately, the law makes provision for the loss of nationality of the children of adults who lose their nationality. This section is not subject to a safeguard against statelessness either. In 2023 the Constitutional Court declared section 6(1)(a) of the South African Citizenship Act 88 of 1995 to be unconstitutional as it causes citizens by birth to lose their citizenship automatically when they voluntarily acquire another nationality without informing the relevant Minister. It was further declared that those citizens who lost their citizenship by operation of s 6(1)(a) are deemed not to have lost their citizenship.
The Kingdom of Eswatini
Loss and Deprivation of Nationality
Eswatini scores 1 out of 1. The law includes a safeguard against statelessness upon deprivation, does not make provision for the deprivation of citizenship of children, and allows dual nationality. The law allows for the loss of citizenship by birth where another is acquired and but is not automatic.
Zimbabwe
Loss and Deprivation of Nationality
Zimbabwe scores 0 out of 1. Zimbabwe earns points for safeguards against statelessness and does not allow automatic loss of nationality by birth. However, the law makes provision for children to lose their nationality on the basis that a parent has lost nationality. A point is deducted.
United Republic of Tanzania
Loss and Deprivation of Nationality
Tanzania scores -2.5 out of 1 for loss and deprivation of nationality. Dual nationality is not allowed, and nationality is lost automatically where another nationality is not renounced at majority. An additional 0.5 is deducted because there is no verification that the person is in fact recognised as a national of the other country. There is no safeguard in cases of deprivation.
Republic of Botswana
Gender Equality in Nationality and Birth Registration Laws
Botswana scores -2.5 out of 1. Dual nationality is not allowed, and nationality is lost automatically where another nationality is not renounced at majority. An additional 0.5 is deducted because there is no verification that the person is in fact recognised as a national of the other country before deprivation becomes effective. Last, there is no safeguard against statelessness in cases of deprivation.
Republic of Angola
Loss and Deprivation of Nationality
Angola scores 1 out of 1 for loss and deprivation of nationality. Automatic loss of citizenship by birth is not possible in law. Dual nationality is allowed for both adults and children. The law makes provision for a statelessness safeguard. Children do not lose their citizenship upon the loss of their parents’ citizenship.
Madagascar
Loss and Deprivation of Nationality
Madagascar scores -1 out of 1 for loss and deprivation of nationality. The law makes provision for automatic loss of citizenship by birth.