UBC still a prerequisite- DHA

DESPITE the DHA’s recent
announcement to
airlines that they would
no longer need to verify that
SA minors travelling on an SA
passport to South Africa were
carrying an unabridged birth
certificate, spokesperson
for the Department of
Home Affairs, Mayihlome
Tshwete, told TNW that
the requirement had not
been scrapped and was still
required for departing SA.
In a letter to Barsa,
the DHA stated: “The
Department has decided that
minors who are South African
citizens travelling to South
Africa with South African
passports may be accepted
by airlines for travelling
purposes without presenting
birth certificates (containing
parents’ particulars). Such
minors will be assisted by
Immigration Services upon
arrival at South African ports
of entry. The status quo
will remain in respect of
minors who are South African
citizens departing from South
Africa with South African
passports to provide the
required documentation as
specified in the advisory on
the Department’s website.”
Mayihlome said the
changes stipulated in the
letter were introduced
to accommodate South
Africans with children living
overseas who were not in
possession of a UBC. These
citizens will now be able to
travel to SA to obtain the
documentation at the DHA.
These passengers will,
however, also need to carry
a UBC when departing from
South Africa.
He says travel agents
should still advise their
clients to carry the necessary
documents while travelling to
and from the country.
June Crawford, ceo
of Barsa, says the new
requirements will soon
be uploaded in Iata
Timatic to ensure all
airlines are aware of the
new requirements. When
TNW asked the DHA
for clarification on the
documentation required
in specific instances, for
example, an unaccompanied
minor or a child travelling
with a divorced parent, it
was told the Minister would
address the issues at a
soon-to-be-announced media
briefing.