South Africa lays out plan to extract expats stuck in Ukraine

South Africans stuck in Ukraine are receiving support at these borders.

By / / Viral / 3 minutes of reading

Expats from South Africa who, due to Russia’s attack on Ukraine, have been stuck in the east European country are advised to make it to the Poland border.

Are Africans being denied entry into Poland?

Days into Vladimir Putin’s assault on Ukraine, foreign students, including expats from South Africa, have been making valiant attempts at escaping into neighbouring countries, in the midst of a war that has, to-date, claimed approximately 198 lives.

Startling allegations surfaced on social media, where it’s claimed foreign nationals, particularly those of African descent, have been forced to walk long distances to get to the Poland border.

At this time, speculation is rife on the real reason behind this. However, reports suggest public transit has been prioritised to Ukrainians only.

Even worse, Africans who made it to the border have reportedly been denied entry into Poland. It’s unclear, at this stage, what the motivations of the custom officials are. However, according to Ukraine Crisis Evacuation Committee member Lorraine Blauw, stranded residents of Ukraine have been separated along racial lines and, for unknown reasons, Indians and Africans are not allowed entry into the neighbouring country.

“The Ukrainians have decided to set up international territory in the middle where they are separating Indians and Africans. They are letting people wait; we have Congolese people stuck for two days and had their passports taken away. This morning, students were beaten because they didn’t stand in the ‘black line’,” Blauw alleged.

How South Africa plans to extract expats stuck in Ukraine

It’a unclear, at this stage, how many South African expats are stuck in Ukraine. According to DIRCO’s Clayson Monyela, efforts are underway to receive compatriots at the Poland border.

“Our ambassadors are on the ground to assist in getting students to neighbouring countries; it’s not easy because Africans are not being prioritised. In fact, we have received reports that students have been shot at. We have to be on the ground to assist them in crossing. Our main priority is to get them to cross the border, especially in Poland, where that is the main issue,” he said.

In a statement, DIRCO noted Ambassador Sibusisiwe Mngomezulu from the South African Embassy in Poland will be stationed at the border for the foreseeable future, to receive compatriots who manage to make it out of Ukraine.

Expat South Africa, a civic organisation managed by South Africans living abroad, is also leading rescue efforts.

The organisation has mobilised support from fellow compatriots to help South Africans make it into Slovakia and Hungary.