‘Insult’ to say govt hasn’t helped South Africans in Ukraine – Dirco

It's been eight days since Russia invaded neighbouring Ukraine.

The UN General Assembly has since held an emergency session to deliberate in favour of the resolution that demands Russia’s immediate withdrawal from Ukraine.

South Africa and other 35 member states – including China, India, Iran and Pakistan abstained from the vote.

At least 36 South Africans are still in Ukraine.

Spokesman Clayson Monyela says dozens have fled to neighbouring countries.

“We have had to update our database given the information we have received from families here in South Africa. We had made a call that if there are families in South Africa that may have families in Ukraine, that perhaps are not in our database, to give us a call.

“So right now, the number is 64 and out of 64 that we had, 28 have been assisted to cross into Hungary and we have about five in Romania and three in Slovakia and 13 in Poland. There is two that are in a town that is closer to Russia and not experiencing attacks but we are exploring options for a safe passage for them to move.

“Our primary goal remains to offer every South African help,” says Monyela.

Some South Africans who fled the country on their own have expressed their unhappiness about the department’s failure to assist them.

Monyela the policy doesn’t allow for financial assistance.

“The policy of the South African government and many governments in the world on consular services, the support we give is non-financial.  So, the expectation that perhaps the government will buy someone a plane ticket is misplaced.

“The policy doesn’t allow that and some of the complaints of people who have been calling on radio stations complaining is primarily around that, where they were expecting money, the policy doesn’t allow that.

“And anybody who says the government has not done to help, that would be an insult to diplomats who have put their lives at risk to help others.”

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