Home Affairs sets record straight on new visa regulations

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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.

New regulations

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.