During the nationwide lockdown due to COVID-19, no flights are operating inbound or out. Many foreign nationals in South Africa, however will be evacuated by SAA to get them home during this time. However, many South Africans are still stuck overseas.
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While expat workers, foreign students and tourists who were still in South Africa when lockdown was implemented can safely return home, thousands of South Africans are still stuck all over the world with no means of getting home.
‘Foreigners are leaving SA with SAA’, said Theresa le Roux, a worried family member. ‘What about South Africans that cannot return? We have family in other countries that are struggling to get back.’
Another resident, Denise Lockey, said a group of as big as 200 South Africans are stuck in Thailand. ‘Can we not get South African citizens home too? There are about 200 South Africans stuck in Thailand according to a WhatsApp group my daughter is on, created by DA…how do we get them home?’
This includes students, travellers and workers in various countries who have been appealing for help from South African embassies with little to no results.
One such South African, Allan Huysamen, posted a video explaining is situation. He has been stranded in Kuala Lumpur airport for 6 days so far, with no supplies except for a blanket form the airline. Watch him explain his situation here:
‘Now they have appealed to International Relations and Co-operation Minister Naledi Pandor to send government aircraft to fetch them, saying if it rescued the South Africans stranded in Wuhan, why can’t it rescue them? ‘ reports Daily Maverick.
DA MP Darren Bergman, party spokesperson for international relations, is making representations to Pretoria on behalf of these South African expats. Pressure is being put on the government to secure these South Africans, and although President Ramaphosa said during his briefing on Monday night, 30 March the government is paying close attention to the matter, no plans have been made yet.
‘We continue to work with DIRCO (Department of International Relations and Cooperation) and lobby our government in support of our President to please bring back our stranded people before the conditions get more severe. We do understand the obstacles and constraints and do not do this to further but a burden on the shoulders of our President but rather as a project on behalf of our President in support of his efforts to beat the curve against COVID19,’ Bergman told Getaway.
