Five South Africans who were airlifted from Chad to Gabon on Monday night arrived safely in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
Department of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa said on Tuesday that South African ambassador to Gabon, Jomo Khasu, confirmed that the evacuees had arrived safely.
”The evacuation was effected by the French military on Monday evening following an agreement between the South African government and the French authorities to assist in the evacuation of South Africans from Chad alongside other foreign nationals,” said Mamoepa.
Four other South Africans were scheduled to be airlifted to Gabon later on Tuesday.
Three other South Africans, who remain in their home in Ndjamena, the capital of Chad, are safe and remain in contact with the South African officials and their employer, said Mamoepa.
”Two other South Africans, in the east and south of Chad, do not require evacuation at this stage,” he said, adding that the foreign affairs consulate service was not ”sparing strength or effort” in locating South Africans based in Chad.
”We are offering consulate assistance to the families of South Africans in Chad as well as effecting evacuations to Gabon,” said Mamoepa. — Sapa