A new rule requiring children to travel with their birth certificate, was passed by South Africa’s Dept of Home Affairs recently. It was due to come into force from 1st October 2014, and regardless of whether a child is travelling with a parent or guardian, that adult must show an unabridged birth certificate (plus their passport, of course) in order to pass through customs.
The new rule has been introduced in order to combat child trafficking, although
South Africa is currently the only country in the world mandating this new policy.
However, I am informed by a contact in the global travel industry that the South African government have, in the past 1-2 weeks, just changed tack and delayed the implementation of this new rule until mid 2015. I understand they got resistance from airlines, tour operators and the tourist board etc.
The new rule has been introduced in order to combat child trafficking, although
South Africa is currently the only country in the world mandating this new policy.
However, I am informed by a contact in the global travel industry that the South African government have, in the past 1-2 weeks, just changed tack and delayed the implementation of this new rule until mid 2015. I understand they got resistance from airlines, tour operators and the tourist board etc.