New law seeks to reduce child trafficking

The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) said the new law implemented in South Africa on 1 June 2015 requiring children to travel with unabridged birth certificates (UBC), is reducing the number of child trafficking incidents.

DHA spokesperson Mayihlome Tshwete said although citizens feel frustrated due to the extra paperwork required when travelling internationally with children, the new law has made a great difference in the safety and vulnerability of children.

Weltevredenpark resident Arlene Chaperon said her daughter Chirsty Meere had to show documentation for both her children, Keanu Meere (8) and Rio Meere (10) during a recent vacation to Europe.

“It is a frustrating process to obtain the documentation and a burden to carry around but, I support the law in full throttle as it protects our children,” said Chaperon.

According to the Travelstart website it is a requirement that all minors under the age of 18, need in addition to their passport, to produce a UBC (showing the particulars of both parents) when exiting and entering South African ports.

According to DHA’s website, statistics show 30 000 minors of which 50 per cent are aged under 14 are trafficked through South African borders yearly.

“Passengers have to ensure that children have the correct documentation to avoid being denied boarding. The new law is being enforced by airlines and immigration officials across the board (land, sea and air),” said the website.

The website explained the following:

•  If the UBC is not in English, a sworn translation issued by a competent authority in the country concerned must be presented with it.
•  In the case of a child travelling with only one parent, either an affidavit in which the absent parent gives consent for the child to travel; a death certificate of the parent absent or a court order granting full parental responsibilities or legal guardianship of the child is required together with the UBC.
• If a child is not travelling with a parent, the UBC must be presented with copies of the parents’/legal guardians’ Identification Documents (ID) and affidavits from the parents/legal guardians confirming that the child may travel with that person. Their contact details must also be presented.
•  A child travelling unaccompanied will have to produce proof of consent from both parents/legal guardians, contact details and documentation relating to the person receiving the child in South Africa.
•  The latter documentation should include a letter stating the person’s contact details and residential address where the child will be residing, plus a copy of his or her ID document, passport or residence permit.
•  The application process is done at a Home Affairs office where biometric information will be verified.
•  Original or certified copies of the parent’s as well as the child’s ID book is required plus a fee of R75.
•  It could take up to eight weeks before the certificate is issued.
•  School groups or children travelling with grandparents are not exempt.
•  The law only applies for travelling internationally and not domestically.

Department of Home Affairs 011 639 4000.

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