The Department of Defence has provided clarity on the citizenship of its acting Chief Financial Officer Edem Abotsi. This comes after his appointment caused public outrage with claims that he was an illegal foreigner because he was originally from Ghana.

According to the department, Abotsi came to South Africa in 1991 and was naturalised in 1999. In a statement, the DOD said: "It can be confirmed that Edem Abotsi has been in the department since 2014 as chief compliance officer and Chief Director of Financial Services," DOD spokesperson Siphiwe Dlamini said, adding that subsequent to the departure of the Chief Financial Officer, Abotsi occupied the position of acting CFO. "He is a qualified auditor and accountant. He was also at the office of the Auditor General for 14 years and left as a Senior Audit Manager," Dlamini said.

The department said it is malicious and unfair to associate Abotsi with illegal nationals in the country, who are allegedly involved in criminal activities. "Abotsi has been in the country legally and has subjected himself to all the laws of the Republic of South Africa that regulate foreign nationals wishing to live, work and eventually become South African citizens as required by the laws of the land," the statement said.