Evacuees recount harrowing ordeal in South Africa

Some evacuees from South Africa have shared their harrowing experiences with the Daily Graphic. 

They said their return had ended weeks of fear, violence and uncertainty that had left deep physical and emotional scars on them. 

George Kennedy

One of them, George Kennedy, a chef who had worked in restaurants across South Africa for more than two decades, said the recent unrest had wiped out his livelihood overnight.  

“South Africa is a beautiful country, but some of the people there are terrible. Things can change within a short time.  

“They loot shops and attack foreigners consistently. I am more than 50 years old, and I feared for my life.

I have children in Ghana and have not returned home for a while; I don’t intend to die in a foreign country,” he said. 

Kennedy said he could not take all his belongings because of the urgent nature of the decision.

“I am thankful to the government for bringing us back.

They did a very great job from the organisation to processing.

Now, I have to start all over again here in Ghana,” Mr Kennedy said.

Victor Atsu

Victor Atsu also recounted how he was caught in an attack during the violence.

He also claimed that he still carries a pellet in his spine from a gunshot.

“They shot at me. I managed to survive, but I have been in pain since.

Even sitting for long is difficult,” Mr Atsu said.  

He said he was receiving treatment in South Africa before the situation worsened and was forced to flee. 

Bernice Akuffo

A hairdresser, Bernice Akuffo, also returned home with visible cuts and bruises on her arms and face after she was severely beaten during one of the attacks.  

“They constantly harass you in your shop.

I was attacked during one of their incidents, and I was severely beaten and wounded. 

“I am thankful that I am still alive; it is very important. I have left my things behind; it was such a traumatic and terrible experience,” she said in a trembling voice.  

Ms Akuffo said she had worked in Johannesburg for six years to support her family back home, adding, “I don’t think I can ever go back there. Ghana is my home.”

She expressed gratitude to President John Dramani, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, and the Ghana High Commission in Pretoria for their swift action.
Other evacuees expressed similar sentiments.

Support

The returnees have so far received medical screening, psychosocial support and reintegration allowances from the government.

The support is meant to help them rebuild their lives and recover from the trauma.