The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs notes and welcomes the announcement by the Minister of Home Affairs that the implementation of two requirements of the new immigration regulations will be delayed until 1 June 2015. The requirements that will be delayed are that children must be in possession of an unabridged birth certificate and also that they must have written permission from both parents or guardians authorising their travel.
The committee is of the view that this postponement will enable the department to fine-tune their processes and ensure that they issue the required unabridged certificates within the specified timeframes. Furthermore, this will ensure that those citizens who have already made travel arrangements for the upcoming festive season holidays will not be inconvenienced.
The committee is of the view that the delay in implementing these requirements attests to a caring government that accommodates the needs of its people. The committee is further of the view that this is a clear sign the Minister and the department are willing to clear any impediments in the implementation of the regulations. This attitude will go a long way in allaying the fears of many on the intentions of the regulations.
The committee is still convinced that these regulations are necessary to close loopholes in the Immigration and Refugee Acts and are also a necessary precaution against heightened security challenges all over the world.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact:
Malatswa Evans Molepo
Tel: 021 403-8438
Cell: 073 297 1914
E-mail: mmolepo@parliament.gov.za
