Call for effective late birth registration system
The UCT Children’s Institute has added its voice to calls for a functioning late birth registration system.
EWN notes that the institute is among the applicants in a case before the Western Cape High Court, where 15 children and two adults are still awaiting birth registration.
Senior researcher Paula Proudlock said the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) repeatedly told many applicants that they would be contacted for interviews to register their births, but they were never called.
She added that high transport costs are among barriers preventing timely registration.
‘Some parents don't know about the 30-day requirement, and some parents in rural areas can't afford the high costs of transport to the Home Affairs office. Or if, for instance, the mother dies in childbirth, the family that needs to register that baby has to wait for the mother's death certificate and, in some instances, a court order before they can actually register the baby.’
Proudlock said the consequences for applicants have been devastating.
‘Children are being denied public health care services and private medical aid, being refused enrolment in early learning programmes and school, and parents are also reported to be refused social grants. We also had a situation of one of our children's adoptions not being finalised,’ she said.
Article disclaimer: While we have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of this article, it is not intended to provide final legal advice as facts and situations will differ from case to case, and therefore specific legal advice should be sought with a lawyer.
