[Featured Image: Silhouette of Person in Airport – Photo by redcharlie on Unsplash]
Citizens Assured of No New Laws
Following a clear message from the Border Management Authority (BMA) about South Africa’s travel rules, the Democratic Alliance (DA) Abroad has once again assured citizens that there is no new law on dual citizenship and no new enforcement directive. The BMA’s statement, released on July 31, 2025, directly tackled a widely shared false message online that claimed a new law from May 2025 would force all South Africans to use only a South African passport to travel. The BMA said this was completely untrue. They confirmed that the current legal position, set by the South African Citizenship Act of 1995, is still in place. This law requires South African citizens – including those with two passports – to use a valid South African passport when entering and leaving the country.
DA and BMA Share Message
This clear message is an important step in fighting false information that spreads on the internet. The DA Abroad has been leading the way on this issue, and the BMA’s statement backs up what the DA has been telling South Africans living abroad. The DA’s recent important court decision in May 2025, which protected the citizenship of dual nationals, further shows how serious they are about protecting the rights of South Africans living overseas. The BMA’s confirmation that this decision doesn’t change the passport rule makes things very clear and highlights the importance of using official government websites for correct information.
Image: OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, South Africa- Photo by redcharlie on Unsplash
Official Government Platforms for Your Reference
The Department of Home Affairs
www.dha.gov.za
The Border Management Authority
www.bma.gov.za
Unreliable Sources
The message from the BMA is for, “South Africans abroad and travellers to South Africa to remain calm, ignore sensationalised messages, and rely solely on official communication for accurate updates.” The DA Abroad supports this message and continues to ask citizens to ignore false messages and to rely on official sources like the Department of Home Affairs and the BMA websites for all travel information. This joint effort is a good step toward making sure people are well-informed and can travel without worrying about false rumors.
