SAA Crew trapped in Mumbai leaves Oberoi Hotel in Mumbai

Pretoria-  South African Consul-General, in Mumbai, Busi Khuzwayo has advised Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma that the Seven SAA crew members trapped in the Oberoi hotel in Mumbai, have now been released and left  the Oberoi hotel safe and sound.

The crew is currently in the care of South African diplomatic officials in Mumbai which will take them to the South African Consulate in Mumbai ahead of plans to evacuate them back home as soon as possible. The crew expressed their gratitude to the South African diplomatic corps and consular officers for the support they received during their ordeal and proclaiming, “We are proudly South African”

Minister Dlamini Zuma expressed the gratitude of the South African Government to the Indian authorities for the professional manner in which the ordeal of the 7 crew members was handled.

Minister Dlamini Zuma had on Thursday evening telephoned the crew in the Oberoi hotel to convey the thoughts and prayers of President Kgalema Motlanthe, the government and people of South Africa.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa at 082-990-4853

Department of Foreign Affairs
P/Bag X152
Pretoria
0001

28 November 2008