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Seized goods to tsunami victims
05/01/2005 18:02 - (SA)
Johannesburg - Twelve containers filled with clothing and shoes that were confiscated by South African border authorities are to be donated as emergency aid to tsunami victims in southeast Asia, the government said on Wednesday.
"The goods, which are being stored in warehouses around the country, will be donated to the South African Red Cross Society, after which we believe it would be shipped out," said Adrian Lackay, a South African Revenue Service (SARS) spokesperson.
The clothing and shoes were confiscated by revenue service officials after they were brought into South Africa illegally or when import procedures were violated.
At least nine South Africans have been confirmed killed - all of them in Thailand - and six others were still missing, presumed dead, after massive tsunamis, or tidal waves, struck the region on December 26.
President Thabo Mbeki's government offered its condolences to Indonesia, one of the hardest hit countries by the killer waves that have left more than 146 000 dead in Asia, describing the disaster as an "unimaginable tragedy".
"The people of South Africa share your grief and we will do all in our power to assist your country to rebuild that which has been lost and we wish you to know that you have our friendship and solidarity during this awful time," the message said.
Religious groups, including Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu and other organisations, will meeting on Thursday to see how they could assist in relief efforts.
- AFP
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