All seems set for Mokotjo to play

THERE is an end in sight to the Kamohelo Mokotjo saga‚ with the midfielder now apparently on track to be eligible to turn out for Bafana Bafana against GuineaBissau at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban today.

The department of Home Affairs has sent out a statement saying that Mokotjo has now applied for resumption of his South African citizenship.

Home Affairs had already indicated to Times Media Digital that they were more than capable of fast-tracking such an application in the interests of the country to enable Mokotjo to be available for today’s international friendly.

Mokotjo’s situation arose from complications surrounding him being granted Dutch citizenship late last year and the midfielder not having applied for retention of his South Africans citizenship.

The Home Affairs statement read: “The Department of Home Affairs wishes to confirm receipt of application for resumption of South African citizenship by Netherlands-based soccer player Kamohelo Mokotjo‚ following initial contact with the South African Football Association (Safa) on Wednesday‚ 22 March 2017.

“Mokotjo acquired Dutch citizenship in December 2016 and automatically lost his South African citizenship.

“According to the South African Citizenship Act‚ 1995 (Act No 88 of 1995)‚ a South African shall cease to be a citizen if ‘he or she‚ whilst not being a minor‚ by some voluntary and formal act other than marriage‚ acquires the citizenship or nationality of a country other than the Republic’.

“Mokotjo has since written a motivation to the Minister of Home Affairs for the resumption of his former South African citizenship as stipulated by legislation.

“In this regard‚ the minister may upon receipt of such an application allow the applicant to resume his former South African citizenship if he is satisfied with the facts presented before him.

“To this end‚ we are processing Mokotjo’s application and hope to finalise it by end of business on Friday 24 March.”

FC Twente star Mokotjo (26) has five caps for Bafana. — TMG Digital/TMG Sport