HOME Affairs’ new law relating to travelling requirements when minors cross South African borders and ports, is fast becoming a red tape nightmare according to locals already in the process.
The law, to come into effect from 1 June, requires minors (children under the age of 18) to show an Unabridged Birth Certificate (UBC) when travelling to other countries. This is in addition to the child’s passport.
Not only are local residents faced with lengthy queues when visiting the department, some regard the process to be a complete administrative mess.
A Richards Bay resident, who prefers to remain anonymous, said she has been given the run-around for over six months and to date, has not received any feedback.
‘I applied for a UBC in September last year and was informed it would be ready by December. When I went back in January, I was told there was no record on the system,’ she said.
She said her family’s regular trips to Mozambique are now being placed on hold owing to her child not having the required travel documents.
Richards Bay’s Home Affairs Official, Nana Mthembu, conceded there were many delays.
‘These delays are unfortunate, but we are working to resolve the matter. The Richards Bay office is responsible for capturing applicants’ details, and we rely on our Head Office in Pretoria to finalise matters,’ she said.
Mthembu added that applicants will receive an SMS when documents are ready for collection.
The purpose of the new law is to curb human trafficking.
The new certificates are claimed to be printed on ‘unique’ paper which the department believes cannot be forged easily owing to its advanced security features
Parents of children born before March 2013 are urged to apply for UBCs.
