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Home Affairs sets record straight on new visa regulations

Source: By SANews, 14/07/2015

Pretoria – The Department of Home Affairs says the new visa
regulations are in line with two pieces of legislation – the
Children`s Act of 2005 and the Prevention and Combating of Trafficking
in Persons Act of 2013.
The department said this in a statement clarifying a media report
claiming that a presentation made earlier this year was the reason for
new visa regulations. The media article also questioned figures that
30 000 children are trafficked annually.
The department said the contested numbers still exist in the public
platforms, with a variety of research papers being contested and debated.
"Our role as the Department of Home Affairs is to minimise the
vulnerability of children as per the directive of the Children`s Act.
We will not feature in perpetual contestations about the numbers, as
we have repeatedly stated `one child is one child too many`.
"Therefore, the department has no intention or legitimate ground to
put a `spin` on immigration law and regulations, as alleged. Our
legislative mandate is to provide for the regulation of admission of
persons to, their residence in, and their departure from the
Republic," the department said.
Under the new regulations, all minors are required to produce an
unabridged birth certificate that has the particulars of both parents
when entering South Africa.
According to the department, before 2013, the Children`s Act stated
that a parent or other person acting as a guardian should consent to
the child`s departure or removal from the country and consent to the
child`s application for a passport.
The amended law and regulations are there to fulfil these prescripts,
with no need for "gross exaggeration" or even spin of any sort, said
the department.
"The Department of Home Affairs knows of, and has reported on abuse of
the immigration system, including human trafficking, persons who go in
and out of the country under false pretences and those who overstay.
It was prudent to take preventative steps, better to minimize cost and
remedies," it said. – SAnews.gov.za

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