South Africa Investigates Arrival of 153 Palestinians from Gaza

South African authorities are investigating the arrival of 153 Palestinians from Gaza who landed at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg on November 13, 2025. The passengers, arriving via a chartered flight from Nairobi, Kenya, were initially denied entry due to missing departure stamps and lack of return tickets or accommodation details.

President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed concern over the incident, stating that the individuals "somehow mysteriously were put on a plane that passed by Nairobi and came here." He emphasized the need for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding their travel.

The Palestinian embassy in South Africa indicated that the travel arrangements were organized by an unregistered group that exploited the humanitarian situation in Gaza, deceived families, collected money, and facilitated their travel in an irregular manner.

After intervention from the local charity Gift of the Givers, which guaranteed accommodation for the travelers, 130 Palestinians were granted entry into South Africa, while 23 continued to other destinations.

Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber noted that, despite the initial documentation issues, all travelers possessed valid passports and none had applied for asylum. He affirmed that the government remains committed to safeguarding the dignity of vulnerable individuals.

South Africa has a longstanding history of supporting the Palestinian cause, drawing parallels between its own apartheid past and the current situation in Gaza. The government has previously filed a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, accusing it of genocide in Gaza.