Home Affairs assures Parliament on new regulation of unabridged certificates

01 Feb 2016 | Admin Author

The department of home affairs has assured parliament that new regulations that require parents travelling with their children to carry an unabridged birth certificate is an interim measure while the department puts an electronic verification system in place. This follows an outcry over the negative impact that this regulation will have a on the country’s lucrative tourism
sector.

Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs says it is satisfied with the departments explanation that the planned electronic system will mean that parents won’t have to travel with unabridged birth certificates.

While they will only have to submit the certificate when applying for visas to travel to the country, it is unclear when the electronic system will be in place and how much the interim arrangement will cost in tourism. But, the committee says it is imperative that South Africa’s borders are made less permeable.