South Africa gets tough on child smuggling cases

Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge BureauSouth Africa’s Home Affairs department, in collaboration with neighbouring countries including Zimbabwe, is intensifying efforts to combat human smuggling, especially cases involving young children.This initiative aims to curb trafficking in persons and other related criminal activities.During a recent review of the second quarter of 2025 operations, South Africa’s commissioner of the Border Management Authority (BMA), Dr Micheal Masiapato, emphasized their commitment to promoting the safe migration of children by strictly enforcing regulations to protect them from exploitation.“Regarding the movement of children, the world has just celebrated the International Day of Trafficking of Persons on 30 July 2025 In this quarter, we intercepted about 13 children across the various ports, of which five were unaccompanied and were therefore handed over to the officials of the Department of Social Development for further process,” said Dr Masiapato.“The remaining eight who were with their parents were refused entry as they did not meet the entry requirements into the country In this light, we would like to re-emphasise the requirements for the cross-border movement of Children.“Firstly, a child who is under alternative care must produce a certified copy of an authorisation letter from the Provincial Head of the Department of Social Development prior to departure Without this letter, the BMA immigration officer will refuse departure.”He added that parents travelling with a child must produce the unabridged birth certificate showing both parents’ details

If only one parent is travelling, an affidavit from the other parent authorising the travel, a court order granting full parental rights, or a death certificate of the other parent is required.For cases where both parents are deceased and the child is travelling with a relative or another adult, approval from the Director-General of the Department of Home Affairs must be obtained.Dr Masiapato also noted that individuals travelling with a child who is not their biological child must carry the child’s unabridged birth certificate, an affidavit from the child’s parents or legal guardian granting permission to travel, copies of the parents’ identity documents or passports, and contact details of the parents or guardian.“This is to ensure that all travel involving minors is lawful and in the best interests of the child As for unaccompanied minors at port of entry, the minor must present a letter or affidavit showing consent from one or both parents or legal guardians If only one parent grants consent, a court order giving full parental responsibilities must also be provided The full details of all these requirements can be found on the BMA website at www.bma.gov.za, and website of the Department of Home Affairs at www.dha.gov.za,” he said.During the quarter under review, the BMA processed a total of 8,582,250 passengers entering and leaving South Africa.Share on FacebookPost on XFollow usSave

Originally published on Zimbabwe Herald

Source: Zimbabwe Herald