By Akani Nkuna
South Africa’s Chief of State Protocol at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), Clayson Monyela, has urged South African citizens trapped in the war-torn Middle East to register with the country’s diplomatic missions to help facilitate a possible evacuation once conditions improve.
DIRCO released an informational video on Thursday in which Monyela encouraged citizens abroad to contact South African mission officials while remaining vigilant for any opportunity to leave Iran and Israel safely.
“We are hoping this will continue and hopefully the airspace in these countries will reopen because it is currently closed, which makes it difficult for us to get our people out of those countries and back to South Africa,” he said.
“But we continue to monitor the situation. This is why we want to have the contact numbers of all South Africans trapped in these countries so that we can maintain regular contact with them and provide updates or information as it becomes available.”
Monyela also advised citizens to make use of the DIRCO Travel Smart App to register their contact details.
He said the application will help the department determine how many South Africans remain in the affected areas and plan the necessary assistance.
Alternatively, citizens were urged to use WhatsApp channels to contact officials at South African embassies in the countries where they are currently located.
Monyela emphasised that maintaining clear and regular communication is critical during the crisis to reduce uncertainty and anxiety among citizens.
He further encouraged South Africans to take any available opportunity to leave the region, whether by land or air, where circumstances allow.
The uncertain duration of the conflict, he said, increases the risks facing citizens in the affected areas.
“In the countries where there are a few commercial flights still operating, we encourage South Africans to take advantage of these,” he said.
“And in countries where land borders remain open and people can reach those border posts safely, we also encourage them to consider leaving through those routes.”
Travel warnings have multiplied across the Middle East as the United States and Israel continue to launch attacks on Iran since Saturday, with President Donald Trump confirming that “major combat operations” are underway.
Iran has since launched several retaliatory strikes across the Gulf region, targeting locations linked to U.S. and allied interests in countries including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Oman.
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