Johannesburg - Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba could face prison time after he was found to be in contempt of court by the High Court in Pretoria, Sowetan reported on Tuesday.
The court found Gigaba was in contempt of an August court order directing him to decide within 30 days whether Frederik Ngubane, who is not recognised as a citizen of any country, could live in South Africa as a permanent resident.
Gigaba has reportedly been given a five-day grace period to reach his decision.
“Should the respondent fail to comply… the applicant is allowed to approach this court for an order for the respondent's committal to prison… alternatively for an order that the respondent pay… a fine,” the newspaper quoted from the court order.
The ruling came after Lawyers for Human Rights acting for Ngubane, 23, went to court after the department of home affairs failed for almost two years to decide on Ngubane's application.
The original order was against Gigaba's predecessor Naledi Pandor. - Sapa