Stranded S Africans to return home from China

A group of 51 South Africans stranded in Changchun, China will from this morning receive their passports from the Chinese authorities.

“The Chinese authorities confirmed on Friday that the passports of the group of 51 South Africans stranded in Changchun, China will be released as from Monday, 25 June 2018,” said International Relations and Cooperation Minister Lindiwe Sisulu.

An official from the South African Embassy in Beijing will travel to Changchun on Monday to provide consular assistance to the group.

The individuals in the group will then return to South Africa. 

According to the SA Embassy in Beijing, 51 young South Africans were enticed by an agent to travel to China on a study visa while planning to work as English teachers.

The promise was that they would get their work visas upon arrival in China, which never materialised.

While in China on study visas, they started working, which was in contravention of the immigration laws of China. 

Sisulu thanked the Chinese authorities for releasing the passports and ensuring that the 51 young people are allowed to leave China for South Africa.

“I am happy that this incident has been resolved. l want to make a call to all South Africans that they must familiarise themselves with the laws and regulations of countries they visit or apply for work.

“They must also ensure that they have the correct documentation before they travel,” said Minister Sisulu.

The Minister added that Dirco will launch a campaign in the next few weeks to raise awareness of all South African travellers.

The campaign is titled: “Travel Smart” and is aimed at encouraging South Africans to research their destinations and the laws of the countries they seek to visit or apply for work.

“We have too many South Africans in prisons across the world, which is of concern. We want South Africans to research and gather all necessary information before they travel, so as to avoid taking risks and involving themselves in activities that may be deemed illegal,” said Sisulu. – SAnews.gov.za