A South African woman, Bongile Ntombela, has been unable to leave Dubai due to an outstanding loan of approximately R124,000. After residing and working in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for six years, she lost her job earlier this year. Facing the choice between resignation or termination, she chose to resign and was permitted to remain on her employer's residence visa while seeking new employment, which she was unable to secure.

Following the cancellation of her residence visa, Ntombela defaulted on her loan repayments, leading the bank to impose a travel ban preventing her from leaving the UAE. She has since secured employment in South Africa but cannot return until the debt is settled. In a TikTok video, she appealed for assistance, explaining her dire circumstances, including inadequate housing and separation from her children, who have returned to South Africa. In response to her plea, Ntombela established a BackaBuddy fundraising account, which has garnered significant support. Within two days, donations reached nearly R50,000, bringing her closer to the required amount to lift the travel ban.

She expressed gratitude for the assistance and mentioned that Clayson Monyela from the Department of International Relations and Cooperation had contacted her to offer help. Ntombela's BackaBuddy campaign can be found at: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/bongile This situation highlights the challenges expatriates may face in the UAE, where strict laws link debt repayment to travel permissions. Ntombela's case underscores the importance of understanding local regulations and seeking prompt assistance when encountering legal or financial difficulties abroad.