Last chance to leave South Africa, says Foreign Office

Seven flights from Cape Town and three from Johannesburg will operate between 23 May and 4 June, with escorted buses providing transfers from Durban, Port Elizabeth and East London. All other passengers will be taken to the airport from specified assembly points.

One-way tickets are £693.89 from Cape Town and £688.37 from Johannesburg. They are being sold via business travel agency CTM, which is working with the UK Foreign Office.

The UK government urged any UK citizens wishing to return home to book seats, adding: “We do not plan any further such UK government repatriation flights from South Africa after that. Commercial international passenger flights are unlikely to be permitted by the South African government for some time.”

Flights are not open to South African passport-holders for short-term visits or emigration to the UK. However, those with dual citizenship, who are married to a British national or have proof of permanent residence in the UK may purchase tickets.