Thirty Seven Zambian Nationals resident in LIBYA have been successfully evacuated into Zambia following violent protests by Libyans against their leader, Muammar Gaddafi.
The evacuees arrived at LUSAKA’s international airport aboard a Zambezi Chartered plane around 07:35 hours yesterday morning.
Among those evacuated was Zambia National Soccer Team player, Felix Katongo and his wife Mwaka, a former television presenter.
The Zambian nationals evacuated from Libya say they are traumatised by events in the oil-rich North African country and are relieved to be back home.
“Seeing blood on the streets and some people dying on queues at the Airport in Libya is something I never thought I will ever witness,” one of the evacuees who declined to be named told the Daily Mail.
Another evacuee, whose identity could not be revealed, said he witnessed an Egyptian who was ill die in the queue because he could not push through the crowd to seek medical attention.
“There was some resentment towards the Egyptian because some people felt what was happening in Libya was the fault of the Egyptians,” he said.
Recently, Egyptians managed to end President Hosni Mubarak’s 30-year rule after relentless protests that lasted 18 days.
Protests have been taking place in Libya against the leadership of President Muammar Gaddafi.
According to some harrowing accounts by the Zambians who were evacuated, the protests started somewhere close to their homes which they fled as their safety could not be guaranteed. They said a few days before the demonstrations started, they noticed Libyans assembling at the Green square in the capital Tripoli to start their protests.
“Zambia is a peaceful country, we should not take things for granted,” one of them said as the others nodded.
“We were at the airport by 12:00 hours but only boarded the flight at 17:00 hours. Some of us did not think we would see our families again, because of the tension. We can’t believe we are home. We are happy, we are so glad, we are even short of words to express ourselves,” they said.
Zambezi Airlines chief executive officer Wilfred Amstelveen, who flew to Tripoli on the chartered flight, said the 36-hour trip was filled with uncertainty.
He said he decided to accompany the crew because of the importance of the mission. Mr Amstelveen said the crew left on Saturday around 01:00 hours via Abuja to Algiers then Tripoli.
The plane had to refuel in Abuja and Algiers because the crew was not sure of the possibility of refuelling at Tripoli International Airport.
He said the crew had to ensure there was adequate fuel to fly the Zambians back home.
“We got to Tripoli at the height of tension and we were not sure of being able to buy fuel from there,” he said.
He said when the crew landed in Libya, Tripoli International Airport was crowded with other planes trying to get different nationals out of that country.
“We waited and waited and waited – from 15:00 hours and we only left at 18:00 hours,” he said.
The crew had to present its flight plan three times before it was accepted by the Libyan authorities at the airport.
“I am grateful to the Zambian government for their support. As Zambezi Airlines, we are proud that Zambians are home safely. We never thought we could accomplish this mission,” he said.
Another crew member who declined to give an interview simply said: “I am just glad to be home. It has been a hell of an experience.”
Welcoming the Zambians, Minister of Foreign Affairs Kabinga Pande said President Banda has had sleepless nights over the safety of the Zambians.
Mr Pande, who was accompanied by officials from his Ministry and others from the Disaster Management Mitigation Unit (DMMU) cheered and clapped as the plane touched down at 07:35 hours.
He said the President would have loved to welcome the Zambians if he was not in Eastern Province.
“He will certainly meet you at a later stage,” Mr Pande told the tired and anxious-looking evacuees.
He said he telephoned President Banda to inform him about the arrival of the Zambians and the President was very excited.
“We should thank God for his travelling mercies,” he said.
Mr Pande said the Zambians should not worry about where to be accommodated because government has already put measures in place.
The Minister announced at a press briefing on Saturday that government had chartered a plane to evacuate Zambians from Libya.
However, the Ambassador and a few support staff remained at the embassy to monitor the situation in Libya.
[Zambia Daily Mail]
Well done government this is the way it is supposed to be ,indeed a caring government.
Good job Mr Pande. Too sad people are still dying in numbers in Libya.
Thanks a lot, Zambian life and blood is what matters to us the most.
something worthy praising and goo to hear this development than listerning boring Zambian politics!
Good move
Good news. Thank God they are safe. This statement is very important and I quote, “Zambia is a peaceful country, we should not take things for granted,” end quote. It is very true. We should not take things for granted. Thank God they are at home safe.
Great news always praises be to Jesus even when we are sinning. Only he delivers and forgives. News rather than politics is indeed welcome.
Praises just have to come where they are due. I’m glad te ku campaignER … otherwise; nish mubepelefye. That’s their right!
At least this is good news
Felix Katongo’ s wife was making silly faces when they arrived, how immature and stupid!
ba dr km give credit when its due. but whether u like it or not,mmd now had 37 more guaranteed votes.
Ati mwiponta mukabwela.
Zedian 4 Life
This is refreshing news, shows our humanity and care for our citizens.
Hats off to the brave Zambezi Airlines crew led by their commander/CEO.
Never take peace for granted, too often Zambians take it too lightly. We all have a role to build peace, all including politicians and all vuvuzelas whether public or private..
ONE ZAMBIA ONE NATION……
Cheers
what a concerned govt zambia has,thanx to the zambezi airline crew and ceo,thanx to RB
i thot the were 42 zambians living in there..where are the rest????
Well done this a plus. No plitiking on this important issue.
37 more lofwas is the government goin to feed them or take them to ZNS camp or jst damped am concern mweee!!!
Foreign national must prepare for evacuation from zed this yr. Lupya and sons and $ will be rounded up.
Gr8 news. Atleast naifwe tulemonekako kwati we are important and organised. For once a Zambian life is respected. Next to be evacuarted- all lozis from WP!
#17 if read the whole story, the article mentions that some staff have remained at the embassy to monitor the situation
way to go govt nafuchi nafuchieeee RB
Yet only a few months ago RB was full of praise for MG and Lybia. Any way well come home
Keep-it-up government.this is the news we want to read and hear not every time RB, RB,RB. One zambia,One nation
Deja vu, walasa point.they way ppl drop each other like hot potatoes when things go sour..hahahah
What were officials from Disaster Management doing at airport instead of visiting Kuku and Misisi which are flooded?
Zambezi Airlines, well done. You make Zambia proud. You certainly qualify to open more long routes!
Glad to hear that our people are back home.
Nomba umupamba! Zambezi Airlines chief executive officer Wilfred Amstelveen flew to the trouble spot and, on return to Zambia, RB was in Eastern Province!!!
$400,000 evacuation. that much?
Did the MMD government evacuate just their children sent to Libyan schools and embassy staff only?
Do you call the rescue of MMD government leader’s children and relatives, the evacuation Zambians? The MMD government is jocking!!!!!!!!!!
The real Zambians who need evacuations have been left at the OIL FIELDS in the deserts and along the coast in Libya.
whilest the jesture is good, the politicking is over the limit. I hope it was not done with the view to get some votes. Otherwise keep it up in future.
#30 shaka dont be stupid. arent the mmd members zambians? is katongo a govt leader? ukazinkala na nzelu ai. u shud appreciate ma efforts yabanzanu. not even the developed countries have finished taking out there citizens. some russians, americans and canadians are still stranded. fyi, there are only 42 registered zambians in libya that the embassy knows about. those working in the oil fields only have themselves to blame if the govt doesnt know they are there.
Job well done!
ungrateful stuupid foouls
Cheers!…../???? how much has it costed this government to udnertake such an errand. its noble though and there is no cost to life.
Thanks for the quick reaction. We thank God for protecting his own.
#32 wala,
You seem to lack simple understanding here man!!!
My contention here is, there are still Zambians remaining in Libya in the OIL FIELDS in the desert and along the coasts of Libya.
Each and every Zambian should be brought back to Zambia and the immigration and the Zambian embassy in Libya have all this records.
Don’t show your salvage thinking and ignorance here by expressing your, “those working in the oil fields only have themselves to blame if the govt doesnt know they are there.”
Honestly you can not say this, the USA, Europe will go a great length to evacuate their nationals even though they went against government advise.
The MMD government is using out public money and not theirs, man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Great news!
#37..look at the number of ppl we chipubawe. there were 42 zambians in libya the embassy knew about!. 37 have been brought back home and the rest have remained to monitor the situation. what zambians along the coast are u talking about? ngati they went to work in libya illegally, its their own problem if they had followed the proper procedure, govt wud kno about them and they’d have been counted. . the part apart about taxpayers money, please read more or watch bbc/cnn. no govt in the world in charging their expatriates in libya for tickets.our govt has tried. other countries havent even started taking ppl out of libya. why am i even bothering to explain all this to you. you are probably too s.t.u.p.i.d. to understand.
Well done GRZ and Zambezi Airlines
#39 wala,
I thought you have learnt courtesy there but you seem a typical Zambian with no manners only taking things by the leaves.
For your own knowledge if you go to your Zambian High Commission and ask them how many Zambians are where you are currently, you will be surprised to learn that there is no record.
So how do you say that there are 42 Zambians in Libya?
I was surprised when i went to the Zambian High Commission in Kensington London and i was told their are no record for all Zambians in the UK, can you imagine if their was an emergence!!!
Stop your ABUSIVE language here, Zambians are known for their courtesy did you lose this?
Wewe simbwa, kapoli we!!!!!!
# 37.Shaka Oz
Are you saying those Zambians working in those oil fields chose not to be registered with our Embassy in Libya? And since they did not register themselves,how does the govt go to those oil fields to evacuate them if Zambezi Airlines had to submit three times to the Authorities to be cleared? Are you aware how dangerous it is in Libya to roam the street or indeed those oil fields you are mentioning as a black person lest you are suspected as a mercenary for Gaddafi?
Is Zambezi Airways owned by friends to the MMD leadership?
Am sure they have made a lot of money out of this, no wonder the POST Newspaper’s Zambian Airways was blocked and liquidated by the MMD government to create room for…………………….
Good news and well done. As ever the Gov owes each and every Zambian a duty of care and in this case it has been honoured.
#42 Sharp Shooter
Dangerous or not dangerous it is the duty of every government to take care of every Zambia regardless of where they are.
If Zambezi Airways submitted 3 times to be cleared to the authorities, where is the friendship of our President with the Great Leader of Libya Gaddafi?
Mind you President Banda had to attend even the commemoration of Libyan revolution with a delegation of Zambian Defence chiefs in Tripoli, this money could have been used on buying linen in our hospitals or when it is greatly needed to be used!!!!
Honestly lets care for all Zambians not just selectively like the way the MMD government does when sending some Zambians for specialist treatment in South Africa.
#43.SHAKA OZ
It is equally the responsibility of every Zambian citizen to report to our missions abroad in case of unforeseen circumstances.Those Zambians you are alleging to be in the oil fields,what are they still doing when their counterparts from Russia,China,America,Britain etc are rushing to their respective Embassies to be evacuated by their govts? This is a wake up call to all Zambians in the diaspora to register with your respective Embassies and high Commission and I for one is very much registered cos I understand the importance.Another good example are Zambians in Russia,they are all registered.
SHAKA OZ, where did you learn how to write good English? If only your analysis matched your good English! You are so daft you make me lament over the quality of education in this country. You must be one of those who went to school just to learn English. Maybe I am judging you too early and too harshly, but your postings on this story are nothing but a cow’s behind. To call your analysis as that coming from a sewer rat will be a mammoth insult to the sewer rats. Grow up and learn to give credit where it’s due.
Zambian wud agrue even for nothing…just check out the blog..some people think they are more intelligent and hence automatically posses the license to insult others specially those they consider to be ignorant or iliterate. hahahaha
SHAKA OZ: ive said it before and i’ll say it again. ulibe nzelu. . whatever u say, the govt did a commendable job. do you know how expensive it is for airlines to fly to libya? just a few days ago, repatriation plans of some european countries had to be delayed because insurance companies said it was too risky to fly to libya. dont talk about zambia’s friensdhip with libya, the govt made an error of judgement and they’ll learn from it. the US and UK have, in recent years, made foreign policy changes regarding libya just to improve trade relations. they also miscalculated and have since made appropriate changes given then the libyan leader’s current stand. yaba, its like talking to a child..
Well done GRZ and Zambezi Airlines, I will ways fly you if the route I am going when in Zed you have flights. Your CEO has won my heart. Salute!!!!
Thumbs up! Zambezi Airlines and GRZ.
Ba Post newspapers it is only problems to do with RB. Bravo LT. At least we get some balanced news. Welcome back to your countries for those Zambians evacuated back home.
There is no need to thank anyone, instead we just say GRZ of Rupiah has done what they are expected to do to their stranded nationals, as the tax they pay has been utilised. Some of these things Zambians lets wake up and appreciate the work of our tax thats why we pay it. It is not for ministers only to drink tea in their offices. If GRZ constructs a road in my area, it is their duty as they are the custodians of my tax.
Well done. Big relief. Sad for innocent Libyas because the worst is yet to come.
Zambia is a peaceful country, we should not take things for granted.
MMD more 5 years.
Well come back home guys, here its safe. Well done GOVT. Thumbs Up!!
Mr felix katongo no more job now.
This is how government must behave. Citizens’ lives be saved at all costs. Good.
JOB WELL DONE Zambian Foreign Office and Zambezi Airlines, We are proud of you.
Good afternoon
#53 Honest, it is always a good thing to express our gratitude and applaud the government when they act in our peoples’ interest, even when some of their duties are self-explanatory.
As for the future of Libya, let’s hope things do not get any worse.
“It is far from clear whether ‘good intentions plus negligence’ or ‘evil intentions plus intelligence’ have wrought more harm in the world ”
Dietrich Dörner
SOS. We need to be evacuated from zamabia.
SOS. We need to be evacuated from Zambia
Job well done.but just how many staff were at that embassy?if they were more than fifteen surely that
was too much.GRZ need to cut down on the number of staff in foreign missions.zambians are paying
alot in terms of tax just to maintain unprofitable Jobs in foreign missions.
#30 Shaka
Don’t worry with Shaka’s comments, i spent sometime trying to establish the size of his I.Q. but alas all i see is blur, I’ ve tried all means but alas i can’t see nothing everything is vague.
While we are all busy squabbling about whether or not to commend the Govt on their effort to evacuate the citizens, my main worry rests somewhere else. You may be aware of the Libyan firm that bought our Zamtel. Gaddaffi and his sons own it and RB was full aware of this. With £1billion of Gaddaffi’s assets now frozen, our communication system is in utter limbo. Watch the space.
Job well done zambezi airline crew , CEO and hats off to Hon Pande for effort our brothers and sisters are back home safely, next step you should cut number of embassy staff they are too many save tax payers` money ,
number 62, you have cracked my ribs!
@ 65 thats true ooooh. Anyway lyashi lya mwana nga alilile esembe???? We cried no over Zamtel but they didnt listen, let them learn the hard way. Its time for the ripple effects of keeping bad company. I feel for my felllow Zambians……even though we can buy it back as a nation if we work together…………
As I have always said: despite our own local quarels here and there, I’m very proud and praise the Lord for being born a Zambian. True – we should NEVER take our peace for granted. The day it will go, it will never come back – or by the time it comes back again, many people will not be there! The govt must be commended for this effort. I hear some countries in Africa have not even cared to evacuate their citizens out of Libya – in one country (I don’t want to mention names), they allocated money to charter a plane and then somebody misappropriated it and the money went missing between the bank and the airport. The reason I know about this is because one of my friends is directly affected because his sister is in Libya. Zambia has done us proud, let’s give praise where it is deserved.
The UN passed yesterday passed a resolution of sactions against Lybian Leader and his children on prohibiting any business transactions with them.
What does that mean on our Zamtel. Is it going to operate?
Answer???????????
Well done GRZ, atleast the boys and girls are back home….no place is better than home.Home sweet home!
Such is welling up of mass anger. It emanates from stubborn political leadership and despotic or semi-despotic regimes. These regimes find comfort and solace in shielding the opposition from accessing public resources and being heavy handed by all means to voices of dissent. We witness how corruption is clawing away the judiciary and other institutions. Am burning with anger at how undemocratic our country is and i guess am not alone. I know that one day, we shall have the opportunity. in the meantime, let us document who is doing this to us and our dear nation. Every dog has his day.
Thank God for the election year! These people would still be stuck in Libya if this unrest happened after RB had already secured another 5 years in office! I wish every year was election year! Zambia’s infrastructure would be much better!
job well done. at least zambia cares for its people. well done.
is felix katongo safe
count down begins…37 votes to MMD already! Did the ambassador decide to remain on his own or at the command of his boss RB?
but still more fye chi driver cha zambezi airways cikali baba! cena ca driver thru all those countries and comes back in one piece!ukatole nobwapona!!!
Yes Zambia is peaceful but secesssionists do not understand it! They are so thick upstairs that they cannot get it! That is what they want to witness in Zambia!
Join the winnin TEAM. We pay our bloggers Us$. Make your hay while the sun is shining.
My flight to Dar es Salaam was delayed by about hour because of this. Never have I had a happier reason for a flight delay. Welcome home to all of you!
the imperialists are plotting to colonise Libya. Africans must go to Libya and protect our fellow africans from these fascists.
Adios Gaddafi! We are happy our people are back home safely. Hats off to the crew and airline.
#17,Reuters News as quoted by News 24 on Dstv reports 90 Kenyans have been evacuated from Libya.another 64 from Sudan,Uganda, Zambia & 9 other countries ve arrived in Nairobi.Just how many Zambians were in Libya?and have they all been accounted for?37 is better than non but there are still some grey areas that need attention.Politics aside,the government is simply doing their job using tax payers money & people should not be compelled to Vote for them on account of this.if the government did not airlift them who was going to do so?i thought thats why we pay those hefty taxes.
this is good stuff from the govt at least some positives for a change…they too should learn lessons from this … see what greed and tribal politics can do….! just feeling for the people of libya who have no option but to face off with the seemly evitable bloodshed when the deadly battle for tripoli is upon us.
#57 Are you serious? What level of jealousy is this? Like your user name, you’re a pitiful piece of cow dung!
Viva zed that’s the way to go.
Ba Pande, but where are the others? You mentioned of 42 Zambians in Libya but how come they’re 37 now? Strange!!!
#49 wala
Your economical accounting of saying it is expensive to fly to Libya sounds like you are using your pocket money. Waya (sorry Wala), us Zambians pay tax a and this is the money that is supposed to be used by the MMD government, you do not need to feel selfish as if it is your own money. Zambians regardless of their status, are more important than the expense your are writing about!!!
From the way you are writing you sound like a typical Zambian out of touch with reality and ready to help someone from afar (as Rupiah Banda is doing right now to Zambian business people) instead of helping a Zambians first. YOU KABWA!
Did you renounce your Zambians citizenship? I do not think you still have a Zambian citizenship. And you went where you are through dubious…
LOOK AT WHAT THE LORD HAS DONE, LAPGREEN
This one is news worth smiling about. Well done, all concerned! That’s how things should be.
As for ensuring the continuance of the “peace” that prevails in this country, that is the responsibility of both the governors and the governed. Those who govern must learn to do what is right, what is in the interest of the people and the nationion at at large, and not just what pleases them alone and fills their pockets and stomachs.