19 Jul 2021

Expats ask for border exceptions for families

From Morning Report, 8:44 am on 19 July 2021

South African expats are converging in Wellington and Auckland today to ask the government to consider border exceptions for families who have been separated by Covid-19.

They say there are humanitarian grounds to let partners and families in South Africa to join expats here following the spate of violence in their homeland.

Riots and looting sparked by the jailing of former president Jacob Zuma have resulted in more than 200 deaths and have taken a heavy toll on South Africa's economy and food supply.

The organiser on of a vigil on parliament's steps at noon, Melody McCabe, spoke to Morning Report.