The Department of International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor has welcomed back the second group of South Africans, who were evacuated from Sudan, at O.R. Tambo International Airport. Hundreds of people have been killed and thousands wounded since a power struggle between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) erupted into conflict on April 15.
Addressing the evacuees, family members and the media, Pandor says she and her department are happy that the South African nationals have returned home safely.
She says, “I’m greeting you on behalf of the President, the government and the people of South Africa, and all we wish to say is that we are really happy. We feel for the people of Sudan who are experiencing a terrible conflict and we pray that the conflict will end.”
“There are 51 of you who have come back, who are here today and we had more who arrived yesterday on a commercial airline. I am really grateful and I am sure you would agree with me that we must thank the members of our South African National Defence Force, we must thank our State Security, and we must thank our diplomatic staff. Pandor adds that she hopes that government can play some role in restoring peace in Sudan.
“I don’t think we should desert the people of Sudan. It is South Africa’s policy that we must try wherever we can on our continent to silence the guns.” She adds. The evacuees were taken from Sudan to Egypt after which they travelled to Kenya.
The first batch of 10 South Africans rescued from Sudan arrived at the airport on Saturday night. Additional reporting by Khayelihle Khumalo and Reuters
Source: eNCA
In other news – Mr Smeg shoots his shot at Babes Wodumo
Gqom queen Babes Wodumo may have bitten more than she can chew after hinting that she was more than ready to date again. As potential suitors are already flooding her social media with requests to take her out on dates.
Few days after Babes Wodumo eluded to be ready to visit the dating pool after her husband Mampintsha’s passing. Learn more
