Pretoria - The Department of Home Affairs says it is in contact with the South African Football Association (Safa) in relation to the citizenship of Netherlands-based soccer player, Kamohelo Mokotjo.
South African-born midfielder Mokotjo had successfully obtained his Dutch citizenship in the Netherlands last year through the naturalization process. However, the Netherlands requires new citizens to renounce their previous citizenship‚ rather than having dual citizenship.
Mokotjo has since been called to represent South Africa during the upcoming international friendly soccer matches against Guinea-Bissau and Angola and has expressed his desire to represent his country of birth.
“Further to this, we have contacted the Dutch authorities with a view to resolving this issue within the legislative prescripts of the two countries.
“The Department of Home Affairs is working with SAFA to finalise the matter and we will provide an update on the developments in this regard,” the department said on Wednesday.
Kamohelo Mokotjo
Mokotjo was granted Dutch citizenship after making a pledge "to respect the freedoms and rights that come with Dutch nationality".
The 25-year-old SuperSport United youth graduate moved to the Netherlands in 2009, when he joined Feyenoord from Matsatsantsa, and became eligible for naturalization after living in the country for five years or more.
Mokotjo moved to PEC Zwolle in 2013, before joining current employers FC Twente after one season, and has made 141 appearances, managing five goals and 18 assists, in the Dutch Eredivisie. – SAnews.gov.za
