More South Africans evacuated from Sudan
Humanitarian organisation Gift of the Givers has arranged a third bus to evacuate more South Africans who are still stuck in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum.
Dr Imtiaz Sooliman confirmed on Tuesday that four South Africans did not make it to the pick-up point when the buses arranged by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation were departing.
President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed that some 77 South Africans were stuck in Sudan.
Sooliman says it has been a huge rollercoaster of fear, anxiety, terror, uncertainty, panic and sadness for South Africans, foreign nationals and locals caught up in the Sudan violence.
Sooliman says two pet Scottish terriers also didn't make the first trip.
"The sadness was evident in their eyes when they saw the luggage but were not included on the trip.
"This was very emotional for the owner. Just after midnight on Sunday, the network collapsed completely and by the time the buses were en route to Cairo it was discovered that 4 South Africans did not make it to the pick-up point.
"Thus far we are aware of six South Africans who made it to Port Sudan, three to Djibouti, two who have opted not to leave, one near a mine somewhere still deciding what to do and we think some are in South Sudan.
"Gift of the Givers has arranged a third bus for the four South Africans left behind, it will depart also around 12 noon today," says Sooliman.
He says the two dogs will be included in the transport.
Sooliman noted that there were numerous challenges on the ground, including inaccessibility, collapsing networks, no airtime, electricity cut off, fuel shortage, no money, lack of food and water.
"It has been a long night talking to South Africans on the two buses, very traumatised South Africans in the south, anxious Brazilians and Filipinos who want to make the trip, and the dog owner. We are optimistic that everyone will cross the border safely,"
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