The Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Development has issued a formal statement dismissing claims that Deputy Minister Andries Nel holds dual citizenship.
This clarification follows recent allegations made by Carel Crafford, the legal representative of Roman Cabanac, the former chief of staff for the Minister of Agriculture.
Denial of allegations
The controversy surfaced after Mr Crafford claimed that several high-ranking state officials and members of the executive, including Deputy Minister Nel, held citizenship in countries other than South Africa.
In an official statement released on Sunday, April 12,2026, the Ministry stated that Deputy Minister Nel rejects these claims unreservedly. The Ministry further emphasised that Nel is exclusively a South African citizen and has never applied for, nor held, citizenship in any other nation.
The legal context: Birth in the USA
While Deputy Minister Nel was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, the Ministry clarified the specific legal status of his birth to prevent further misinformation. Nel was born to South African diplomats serving in the United States at the time.
According to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) guidelines and the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, children born in the United States to accredited foreign diplomatic officers do not acquire citizenship because they are not considered “born subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.” Because his parents were in the country on official diplomatic business, Nel did not receive the birthright citizenship typically granted to those born on U.S. soil.
Demand for retraction
The Deputy Minister has indicated he will not let the claims stand. He is currently in the process of writing to both Mr Crafford and Mr Cabanac to demand an immediate retraction of the statements and a full public apology.