Committee welcomes new immigration regulations

MBOMBELA – The portfolio committee on Home Affairs has noted the commencement date of June 1 for the new immigration regulations requirements for travelling with children.

According to the committee, the commencement of these regulations is a tool to deal with rising international threat of child trafficking.

The regulations dictate that as of today, children travelling in and out of South Africa will be required to present unabridged birth certificates at airports across the country.

In a statement released the committee further stated that it remains cognisant of the teething challenges that might arise due to the implementation of these new regulations especially to the tourism industry.

“We are convinced that the measures put in place by department are adequate to deal with any challenges that might arise.

Despite this, we urge the department to clear any backlog in the provision of unabridged birth certificate of the affected age groupings,” stated the statement.

Furthermore, the committee has urged the department to improve its communications with key stakeholders especially within the tourism industry to ensure that these regulations are properly understood and adhered to.

The establishment of the promised hotline to deal with emergency cases in relations to these requirements must also be expedited.

“The Committee remains of the view that the security of children, whether South African or foreign, must be guaranteed at all times.

The Committee therefore welcomes these new requirements and view them as a necessary deterrent for any criminal wishing to use South Africa as a hub for child trafficking,” the statement further stated.