Family bound for South Africa wrongly denied boarding as confusion surrounds new entry rules

Source: IOL, 09/01/2019

South Africa said earlier this month that as of December 1
families would no longer need to carry the unabridged birth
certificates of their children, as has been required for the last
three years after stringent rules, aimed at tackling human
trafficking, were introduced. The government decided to amend the
laws after it became clear it was having a negative impact on
tourism.
However, there was apparent confusion after South Africa failed to
communicate the changes to airlines, while its home affairs
ministry warned travellers they should still carry the documents.
The UK Foreign Office is yet to update its advice.
None of the airlines approached by Telegraph Travel could say
immediately what the new rules meant for the documentation needed
by families. Thomas Cook Airlines said families should still carry
the necessary documents, while British Airways has only recently
updated its website with the relaxed guidance. Emirates did not
respond to a request for comment.
South Africa travel | What are the new rules?
`The Department of Home Affairs is pleased to announce the
relaxation of some international travel requirements for children
going through South African ports of entry.
From the beginning of December 2018, certain categories of child
travellers will be exempt from presenting supporting documents at
ports of entry. However, travellers are urged to carry these
documents because they may be requested in certain instances.
Travel requirements for children have been changed in ways which
include the following:
For travellers coming to South Africa:
• Children who are foreign nationals from countries where
visas are required will no longer have to carry supporting
documents. This is because they would have been required to
provide these during the visa application process.
• Children who are foreign nationals from countries where
visas are not required may be asked to produce supporting
documents upon entry. Even though producing supporting documents
is no longer compulsory, travelers are strongly advised to carry
the supporting documents.
• In the case of countries that endorse the particulars of
parents in children’s passports, or other official identification
documents, these documents shall be sufficient to establish the
identity of the parents of the travelling minor.
The Department has trained immigration officials to implement
these changes. The amendments took effect on December 1 2018,
ahead of the festive season when many parents and families will be
going on holiday with children.`
The lack of clarity was evident when Mr Denning was told there was
no way his family could travel without unabridged birth
certificates, despite showing staff articles from Telegraph Travel
detailing the new rules.
“We were told at the desk that three or four families are sent
away every day,” he said. “We arrived well in advance [and] went
to the check-in desk where they asked for birth certificates. We
were surprised [as] there was no mention when booking.
“Friends then accessed our house and scanned over the birth
certificates, only to be told my daughter’s would not be
acceptable because it’s the basic one without parental names. We
don’t have nor have ever had another one.”
While the rules were in place, South Africa put the onus on
airlines to check families had the correct documents, knowing they
would have to fly any passengers home should they be turned away
on arrival in the country. This led to scores of families unable
to board flights from the UK, having to return home with their
holiday plans in tatters.
While at London Heathrow, Mr Denning contacted the home affairs
ministry in Johannesburg, who confirmed that the family should be
allowed to fly.

The assistant director of immigration services at OR Tambo Airport
wrote in a letter to Virgin Atlantic: “I want to reiterate that
the airline won’t be penalised for bringing Ms Helen [Paul’s wife]
and her children without the unabridged birth certificate.”
After also contacting Virgin’s vice president, Mark Anderson, the
airline acquiesced and booked Mr Denning and his family onto a
flight the following day.
A spokesperson for Virgin Atlantic told Telegraph Travel the
airline was investigating.
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At the beginning of December, the South African department of home
affairs and the department of tourism said they were “liaising
with the airline industry and there will be a further
communication when the airlines have updated their systems and are
ready to board passengers according to the amended regulations”.