The Department of Home Affairs has noted with concern reports about the 15-year old girl taken off a flight at the Cape Town International Airport after leaving home allegedly to join the Islamic State.

Recent amendments to South Africa’s immigration law and the promulgation of the new immigration regulations were meant also to help in curbing horrendous incidents of this nature, particularly those specific requirements for travelling with children under the age of 18 and those regulating what is required for a minor to travel alone.

When the new immigration regulations took effect last year a postponement of the requirement for unabridged birth certificates and written permission was granted, until 1 June 2015, to give the public and business the opportunity to internalize the new regulations.

The Department urges all citizens and other nationalities to support the smooth implementation of these requirements for protecting children as they come into effect on 1 June 2015. It will follow closely developments around the matter pertaining to the child who was rescued in Cape Town.

Enquiries: Mayihlome Tshwete – 072 869 2477

Issued by the Department of Home Affairs