# The Justice Department says deputy minister Andries Nel is a South African citizen, and has never held or applied for citizenship in any other country. This follows weekend reports in which the former chief of staff to Agriculture minister John Steenhuisen, Roman Cabanac’s legal representative, Carel Crafford, claimed several state officials, including Nel, hold dual citizenship. The department says Nel was born in New Orleans in the US to South African diplomats, and children born in the US to accredited foreign diplomatic officials do not acquire citizenship.
Deputy Justice minister Nel rejects claims of dual citizenship