Ryanair language quiz: The root cause is State's failure to control fraudulent passports
7 June 2022
Note to Editors: Please find an attached soundbite by Manny de Freitas MP
The DA has received a number of queries about United Kingdom (UK) low-cost airline, Ryanair’s decision to quiz South African passport holders in Afrikaans before allowing them to board their aircraft.
The DA strongly condemns Ryanair's bizarre approach. It is ridiculous to assess a South African's citizenship by his or her ability to speak Afrikaans. A person’s ability to speak and understand a specific language is not a criterion for citizenship.
Companies like Ryanair are apparently resorting to these measures because of the significant amount of fraudulent South African passports that transit through UK borders. The root of the problem is therefore the South African government which clearly does not have stringent enough processes to ensure that the integrity of South African passports.