It appears that the promises given at the time of Transkei 'independence' in October 1976 that Xhosa-speakers living outside the Transkei would not automatically have their South African citizenship revoked are not being kept. Since then many Xhosa-speaking Soweto residents, on applying for reference books and passports, have been referred to Transkeian representatives in Tembisa (as have several people from the Ciskei, apparently in error) and obliged to accept Transkei 'citizenship'. Their SA citizenship, and any attendant rights they possess, are thus withdrawn.
One Soweto resident applied for a new reference book for his son and was referred to the Transkei office. If this practice becomes general, it will lead to further curtailment of the already restricted civil rights pertaining to Africans in the urban areas, in terms of which people born and continuously resident in urban areas have the right to stay there. To issue such people with 'Transkei pass books' would remove this right and make them liable to arbitrary 'endorsement out' to the Transkei.
