South Africa Grants Entry to 130 Palestinians After Initial Airport Denial

South African authorities have allowed 130 Palestinians to enter the country following a tense standoff at O.R. Tambo International Airport. The group, consisting of 153 travellers, arrived on a chartered flight from Kenya but was initially denied entry due to irregularities in their travel documents.

Immigration officials reported that many passengers lacked the required departure stamps in their passports, which are meant to indicate the point of embarkation. In addition, several travellers could not provide details about their accommodation or the duration of their intended stay, raising concerns among border authorities.

The Border Management Authority (BMA) initially refused the group entry, prompting a humanitarian intervention. The non-governmental organisation Gift of the Givers offered to provide temporary accommodation for the travellers, ensuring that their immediate needs for shelter and safety were met.

Following verification of this arrangement, South African immigration authorities granted entry to 130 of the travellers under a 90-day visa-exempt status. Meanwhile, 23 passengers from the original group departed for other destinations before clearance was granted.

The Palestinian embassy in South Africa raised concerns over the circumstances surrounding the journey. Officials noted that an unregistered organisation may have misled families in Gaza, collecting money and arranging travel without proper coordination or documentation, placing the travellers at risk.

South African authorities emphasized that none of the travellers had applied for asylum. Their entry was granted on humanitarian grounds, with careful screening conducted by the Ministries of Home Affairs and International Relations as well as security services to ensure there were no security threats.

The South African government has announced that it will investigate how the chartered flight was organised, including who facilitated the journey and whether proper procedures were followed. Officials stressed that the country is committed to assisting vulnerable people while maintaining the integrity of its immigration system.

President Cyril Ramaphosa said the decision reflected South Africa’s longstanding humanitarian stance and support for the Palestinian people. He noted that the authorities would continue to evaluate the situation and provide updates to the public as the investigation progresses.