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New visa rule forces Dutch teenagers to turn back

Source: Dineo Bendile, 13/07/2015


JOHANNESBURG - A group of Dutch teenagers have found themselves on the
receiving end of new home affairs visa regulations after failing to
produce unabridged birth certificates.
The minors were allegedly unable to produce unabridged birth
certificates and parental consent affidavits.
On Thursday, the eight were forced to halt a scheduled humanitarian
visit to South Africa after they were denied entry aboard a Swiss airline.
The Home Affairs Department says it will continue to insist on
unabridged certificates and written parental consent to protect minors
travelling in and out of the country.
The group of Dutch teenagers, who`d been expecting to do community
service work in South Africa, turned back home after failing to comply
with new visa laws.
The minors were reportedly unable to produce unabridged birth
certificates and parental consent affidavits on Thursday, both of
which are necessary according to new visa regulations.
Home Affairs officials later authorised their entry into the country
after being presented with emailed copies of all the missing documents.
However the group has had to turn back to The Netherlands after delays
caused them to miss their scheduled flight.
The department says it is simply doing what is necessary to minimise
the vulnerability of minors.
It department says it believes its new visa regulations are not asking
for anything out of the ordinary.
While some in the tourism industry have labeled the laws "draconian"
home affairs officials say the protection of minors should be a top
priority.
The department says it believes its regulations for child travel are
not impossible to administrate.
Spokesperson Mayihlome Tshwete says as with other countries, South
Africa has a responsibility to enforce its laws.
"It`s not a banana republic where you can come in the country without
abiding by the regulations."


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