By TOTO TSARNEBA
A group of concerned locals protested Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine from 1-2 pm this week outside the Cathedral of St Michael and St George.
Rhodes University Emeritus History Professor Paul Maylam said this was the first invasion of one European country by another since the second world war and was a “symptom of a humans’ failure as a thinking animal”.
Among the protestors, draped in the blue and yellow of the Ukrainian flag, were the Makana Citizens Front members, Rhodes academics and other citizens.
Organiser Philip Machanick said the group felt for the people of Ukraine, “including the students and other South Africans who are there”.
Meanwhile, EWN this week reported that the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) said that the decision to launch an evacuation operation in Ukraine for South African citizens could only be made by the national Cabinet.
This comes as several stranded South Africans told news organisations they felt abandoned by their government. Some have escaped the country, while others are still waiting to leave.
While the choice to evacuate lies with Cabinet, the department has still been working around the clock to assist citizens in crossing borders to neighbouring countries.
