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S. African gov't denies turning away Bill Gates

Xinhua, September 26, 2015 Adjust font size:

The South African government on Friday denied reports that it has denied entry of American business icon Bill Gates because he failed to abide by the country's visa regulations.

There was no record of Gates having entered the country in the past few days, the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) said.

According to the South African.com website, Gates wanted to visit South Africa a week ago but was turned away because his daughter didn't have an unabridged birth certificate.

Referring to the reports, DHA spokesperson Mayihlome Tshwete said that if Gates were to visit, he would be expected to abide by the law.

"If Bill Gates had gone to a port of entry and didn't have the necessary documents our immigration officers were going to apply the law and ask him to provide documents," he said.

But Tshwete said the reports about Gates being denied entry were false.

Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba reportedly is looking into this matter.

Under the new visa regulations implemented on June 1 this year, children entering or leaving South Africa must present unabridged birth certificates, in addition to passports.

The controversial new visa regulations have sparked sharp criticism for affecting tourism.

In another change in visa regulations taking effect in May last year, visitors are required to provide biometric data when they apply for visas. This is a particular problem for people in large countries, such as China, where there are South African consulates only in Beijing and Shanghai.

Also on Friday, Tourism Minister Derek Hanekom said Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa is to announce soon whether the government will scrap controversial the visa regulations.

Hanekom said a task team has compiled a report on its findings on how the regulations are affecting international tourism.

"The task team is now ready to present its recommendations so we are waiting to be convened again by the Deputy President.

"I cannot really say more than that because this process is the one that is led by the Deputy President and so he is the one who will speak about this process. It is the Deputy President who will announce the outcome of this process," the minister said at an event marking the World Tourism Day in the Kruger National Park in northeastern South Africa. Enditem