22 Capetonians who were stuck in Egypt finally back home

Emotional scenes played out when the South African nationals who were in the war-torn Sudan reunited with their families.

The group arrived at the Cape Town International Airport yesterday.

The 22 had been stuck in Egypt without any documentation since Saturday after fleeing the battle weary Sudan.

Director at Africa Projects Consultants, Ezzat Williams, is one of them.

“I’ve had to quarantine for eight days in a hotel, spend eight days at sea, four days at Port Safaga in Egypt waiting to be released from the ship, another six-hour bus trip, and now, two flights later, I am happy to back,” he told journalists.

Others thanked all those who were involved in ensuring their safe return:

Disaster response NGO, Gift of the Givers, meanwhile says it is working around the clock with officials from the International Relations and Corporation Department to ensure the safe and speedy return of the lone South Africa who is still stuck in Sudan.

At least 528 people have been killed in the streets of the country’s capital Khartoum since an alleged power struggle between two rival factions of Sudan’s military regime became violent.

Sudan’s first professional stage actor, Asia Abdelmajid, is among those caught in the bloody crossfire.

She was 80.