Originally Posted by
DBCme
Which loops right back to the title of the thread - the draconian enforcement. They may check, they may not. If they do, do they care? Maybe.
I'm a well-versed traveler and accidentally forgot my cert on one trip - which is how I got linked up to this thread. They asked, but I managed to talk her into allowing me to board anyway. Thankfully SA immigration didn't ask.
In May I lost my yellow card en route to Zambia. Since I would be returning to SA from Zambia, during the layover in JNB I asked one of the immigration officers if they check for a yellow card upon arrival from Zambia - she didn't know what a yellow card was.
At the gate for the flight to Livingstone I stood off to the side and watched the Comair gate agent check everyone's passport and yellow card prior to departure. Once everyone lined up for boarding she checked them again as she scanned boarding passes. I thought I would have to resort to trying to talk my way on but as I was approaching she directed the person sitting next to her to help check people in. I quickly changed lanes hoping she would not ask for a yellow card and I was relieved when she didn't. I wasn't asked for it upon arrival in Zambia either, although I didn't really expect to be asked.