Only one SA citizen remains in Kabul, says Dirco

The department of international relations and cooperation (Dirco) has confirmed only one registered South African citizen remains in Kabul, Afghanistan.

This is after 35 South Africans were assisted to leave Kabul on various evacuation flights.

“The one remaining South African is working in Kabul and will remain there for the foreseeable future,” the department said, adding it has noted there could be other South Africans remaining in the war-torn country.

However, according to Dirco, these would be individuals who have not registered their presence with the SA High Commission in Islamabad, Pakistan, or its headquarters in Pretoria.

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On Wednesday, the department said government was not in a position to accommodate Afghanistan refugees who have sought refuge in Pakistan.

“The government is unfortunately not in a position to accommodate such a request. South Africa is already home to a substantial number of refugees and is seized with addressing their needs.”

Thousands of people have been left stranded and desperate to escape after the Taliban seized the capital. US President Joe Biden has since defended this decision for American troops to leave Afghanistan.

According to Reuters, more than 114 000 people have been airlifted from Kabul airport in the past two weeks as part of the US effort.

– SAnews.gov.za