Question NW1726 to the Minister of Home Affairs
06 August 2021 - NW1726
Khanyile, Ms AT to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
(1)Regarding the birth of Harry Raymond Dare on 12 April 2021 to parents who are South African citizens and the registration of the birth at the Home Affairs London Office (details furnished), what (a) is the reason that the father has not received a reply in response to his mails requesting an appointment to register the baby’s birth and (b) has he found to be the reason that no-one at his office answered the phone during the official working hours (details furnished); (2) whether his department has been informed that a newborn cannot be added on to a parental UK residency Visa until such time the child’s birth is registered by the South African authorities, and the child is therefore stateless; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) what are the reasons that his department is flouting the law in terms of the Births and Deaths Registration Act, Act 51 of 1992, which states that all births must be registered within 30 days of the birth of the child; (4) (a) what are the reasons that phone calls are only answered by the consulate between 15h00 and 17h00 and (b) on what date will (i) Dr. Dare’s communiqués be answered and (ii) he be given an appointment to register his son’s birth?
Reply:
1. (a) It takes a minimum of 15 days to respond to appointments requests. The father (Dr Dare) received a response from this office via email.
(b) The office operating hours has been reduced due to covid-pandemic. Due to lack of personnel in this office, phone calls may only be attended to when counter duties to public members are completed for the day
2. The office was informed.
3. The office is not flouting the law. The children must be registered in the country of birth and submit proof of birth (foreign birth certificate) when applying for SA birth certificates.
4. (a) The current operational hours are from 9H00 to 15H00.
(b) Dr Dare was responded to on (i) 11 June 2021 (ii) his appointment date was 29 June 2021 @ 10H00. He attended his appointment on 29 June 2021 and the department is still awaiting the application from DIRCO’ s diplomatic bag.
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