Pretoria - Cabinet has resolved to set up a team of Ministers from both the economic and security clusters to address concerns raised by various sectors on the new immigration laws.
“The team is expected to discuss and engage with the concerns with the aim of finding ways to address the unintended consequences brought about by the implementation of these regulations,” acting Cabinet spokesperson Phumla Williams said on Thursday.
This team will be convened by Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba.
The new immigration legislation amendments came into effect this month. Under the new legislation, South Africans and foreign nationals travelling to and from South Africa with children under the age of 18 are required to produce Unabridged Birth Certificates.
The implementation of the new legislation is part of government’s commitment to safeguard the best interests of children and prevent child trafficking.
“In addition, the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration will also continue with its work to relook at all the aspects relating to migrants that are in the country.
“This work will assist to provide synergy between migration and our laws,” Williams said.
Operation Pyramid
Meanwhile, the Department of Home Affairs together with other government departments and agencies will launch Operation Pyramid on 19 June at Skukuza, Mpumalanga, under the theme “Working together for safe and secure borders”.
Williams said Operation Pyramid will better coordinate and align government’s and its agencies’ border projects, programmes and interventions.
This transitional initiative will be operational until the scheduled establishment of the Border Management Agency in 2017.
“The secure, effective and efficient management of the cross-border movement of people and goods will be done in a manner that is consistent with the country’s national development priorities,” Williams said. – SAnews.gov.za
