India
5 August 2007
Hyderabad: Two South African students studying Information Communication
Technology (ICT) in Hyderabad an Indian ICT centre were killed on Sunday, 5
August in a car accident, reported South African High Commissioner to India
Francis Moloi to the Department of Foreign Affairs in Pretoria.
The deceased students, from the North West and Eastern Cape provinces, were
on their way back to the ICT campus in Hyderabad when the car they were
travelling in was involved in an accident killing the driver and the two
students instantly. A third student from Gauteng was admitted to the Hyderabad
City hospital's Intensive Care Unit with serious injuries. Details of the
students will be released to the media as soon as the next of kin has been
advised of these developments.
The three students are part of a group of 29 South African ICT students who
have been admitted to the Satyam Technology Centre for the entry level training
programme for ICT engineers as part of the national skills development
programme of the Joint Initiative for Priority Skills Acquisition (Jipsa). The
group was sent to India following last year's visit of the Deputy President
Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka to garner support for Jipsa.
High Commissioner Francis Moloi on Sunday flew from New Delhi to Hyderabad
where he visited the student admitted at the Hyderabad City Hospital and
initiated the process of repatriation of the mortal remains of the deceased
students. The High Commissioner also provided moral support to the other South
African students based at the Satyam Techno Centre.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma expressed the
government's shock and sadness at the tragic deaths of the two students and the
injuries sustained by the third student.
"The thoughts and prayers of the government reach out to the families of the
two students who passed away. Accordingly the government extends its heartfelt
condolences to members of the bereaved families while wishing a speedy recovery
to the student admitted to the Hyderabad City Hospital," concluded Minister
Dlamini Zuma.
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
5 August 2007
