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.
"We are students"
— Nitin singh katoch (@MrnitinSingh) February 27, 2022
"We are students"
Ukraine army is now using international students as shield by raming cars over them, gun fires in air ,.. and stoping them to enter poland.
Students from Africa, pakistan, India, UAE etc are being humiliated.#UkraineRussiaWar @ZelenskyyUa pic.twitter.com/q1hNGBhfve
At this time, speculation is rife on the real reason behind this. However, reports suggest public transit has been prioritised to Ukrainians only.
Kenya envoy to UN voted for the favour of Ukraine 🇺🇦 but their students are denied to close the border to other safe countries @StateHouseKenya Africa 🌍 when will get better leadership pic.twitter.com/Vz7cbFcQVS
— Wyclif Kagyina (@WKagyina) February 27, 2022
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.
"We are students"
— SaffronTiger (@SaffronTiger14) February 27, 2022
"We are students"
Ukrainian security forces are now using international students as shields by raming cars over them, gun fires in air, and stoping them from entering Poland.
Students from Africa, Pakistan, Bharat , UAE etc are currently stranded in Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/HnxLiyRJX6
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.
#Ukraine The South African Embassy in Poland is also assisting South Africans who are stranded in Ukraine.
— DIRCO South Africa (@DIRCO_ZA) February 28, 2022
Ambassador Mngomezulu is at the border waiting to assist South Africans.
Contact details for the 24 hr DIRCO hotline: +27 12 351 1000. https://t.co/hJ45eeSNkQ
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.
However the work continues, if there are any Expats who are in Slovakia 🇸🇰 May you please reach out to us,there are students close to the border and we would appreciate any form of assistance 🙏🏽please send us an email : [email protected] or send us a DM 🙏🏽 https://t.co/qPfnjAqAhW
— Expat South Africa (@ExpatSouth) February 28, 2022