The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs notes the commencement date of 01 June 2015 for the new immigration regulations requirements for travelling with children. The Committee welcomes the commencement of these regulations and views them as a tool to deal with rising international threat of child trafficking.
The Committee remains cognisant of the teething challenges that might arise due to the implementation of these new regulations especially to the tourism industry. The Committee is convinced that the measures put in place by department are adequate to deal with any challenges that might arise. Despite this, the Committee urges the department to clear any backlog in the provision of Unabridged Birth Certificate of the affected age groupings.
Furthermore, the Committee urges 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.
Enquiries:
Malatswa Evans Molepo
Tel: 021 403 8438
Cell: 081 512 7920
Email: mmolepo@parliament.gov.za
