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Statement on the Visit to Thailand by South African Team of
Experts Pretoria-South African Deputy Foreign Minister, Sue van der Merwe
confirmed today, Monday 7 February in Pretoria that a team of South African experts
sent by the government to Thailand in search of 4 missing South Africans returned
back home on Saturday 5 February 2005. The team consisted of Leonie Ras,
Senior Superintendent and Forensic Expert of the South African Police Services
and Prof. Hendrik Scholtz attached to the Gauteng Health Department. The Team
left for Thailand following consultations between Ministers Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini
Zuma, Dr. Manto Tshabalala-Msimang and Charles Nqakula. The team working
under the direction of South Africa's Ambassador to Thailand Ms. Buyi Pheto submitted
ante-mortum records and further DNA samples of the 4 missing South Africans to
the Thai Tsunami Victim Identification-International Management Centre (TTVI-IMC)
with a specific focus on the four missing South Africans. The TTVI-IMC consists
of 100 members from more than 30 countries and comprises police officers, forensic
experts, pathologists, and members of Interpol, logistical and support staff.
The Thai Tsunami Victim Identification-International Management Centre was
of the view that the ante-mortum samples submitted by the South African team was
of high quality and would assist a great deal in the process of searching for
the missing South Africans. However, given the magnitude of the tsunami
tragedy, the process of victim identification is a slow one. In addition, the
authorities in Thailand are working meticulously to ensure positive and reliable
identification in line with internationally accepted norms. The government
has briefed the affected families of the processes involved in the search for
their loved ones. In this regard, the government will continue to liaise with
the Thailand authorities through Ambassador Buyi Pheto with a view to identifying
the missing South Africans. Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa at 082-990-4853
Department
of Foreign Affairs
P/Bag X152
Pretoria
0001 7 February 2005.
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