The lockdown left-behinds: ‘Thousands’ of South Africans stranded abroad

While you may be bummed out that you’re confined to your houses for a few weeks, spare a thought for the South Africans who are currently stuck overseas with no means of returning home. The implementation of lockdown has cut-off our travelling population, and according to DIRCO, we have citizens trapped “in almost every part of the world”. In the past week, we have learned:

• A cohort of SA travellers and expats remain stuck in Morocco, after pleading with the government to get them home pre-lockdown. Dozens remain in limbo there.
• About 150 travelling South Africans are still milling around Heathrow, London. The British hub was unable to send planes to Mzansi last week, as lockdown was implemented.
• A group of our compatriots in the Maldives are seeking assistance to fly home this week.
• It’s estimated 35 Saffas are also marooned in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
• DIRCO haven’t been much help, stating; “many South Africans stranded in almost every part of the world… and the unfortunate part is, there’s no flights to South Africa. We are working with other countries to resolve this.”

SA vs Coronavirus: Lockdown leaves loads in limbo

One group trying to address this dire situation is the DA Abroad – the overseas branch of the political party has set up several WhatsApp groups to help stranded citizens stay in touch with each other, and share important legal advice about they can plot a course home.

Rory Jubber is the leader of the DA Abroad, and he believes that ‘thousands’ of South Africans are currently stuck in a foreign land with no way home. SA’s lockdown is in place until at least Thursday 16 April, but Jubber and his team want to see more immediate action take to bring our fellow citizens back:

“There are potentially thousands of South African’s stuck abroad right now, many in dire straights. We are doing everything we can to compile a list of where all these citizens are located, and in what numbers.”

“This list will allows us to assist – and pressure, where necessary – DIRCO and the SA Government into ensuring these stranded South Africans are protected while they are overseas… This is clearly a non-partisan issue and we are stepping into the vacuum to assist.”

Rory Jubber

The DA Abroad have provided this advice for SA citizens stuck overseas:

Are you a South African stranded overseas during Lockdown? #LockedoutSA #LockdownSA @darrenbergman @bevschafer @Our_DA

Step 1⃣ Complete this form: https://t.co/MaqTvJcYve

Step 2⃣ Join one of our regional WhatsApp Groups for relevant updates and info (See thread below)

— DA Abroad (@DA_Abroad) March 27, 2020