On behalf of the Government and the People of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency, President Jacob Zuma conveyed his deepest and heartfelt condolences to the Government and the people of the Republic of Sudan on the recent tragic accident which led to the passing away of the Minister of Religious Affairs, Ghazi Al-Saddiq; State Minister of Youth and Sports; State Minister of Tourism, as well as several other senior government officials on the auspicious day of Eid-ul-Fitr.

The Sudanese Ministerial delegation were en route to the area of Taloudy, South Kordofan, on Sunday, 19 August 2012, to perform the Eid prayer and congratulate the citizens of the region on the celebration of the end of the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan, when the airplane they were traveling in crashed into the Hajar-Al-Nar mountain.

In expressing his condolences, President Zuma added: "It is an absolute tragedy that on a day upon which Muslims should be celebrating, the Sudanese nation is in mourning instead. Our hearts and prayers are with the families of the deceased, as well as the Government and the people of Sudan during this difficult time."