The Border Management Authority (BMA) has confirmed the release of 130 Palestinians into the care of humanitarian organisation Gift of the Givers.
BMA commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato said 153 passengers arrived at OR Tambo International Airport on Thursday morning on a chartered Global Airways flight from Kenya.
He said the BMA initially denied the group entry because they did not have the required documentation and refused to apply for asylum.
REFUSED ENTRY INTO SA
“During the standard interview process conducted by BMA immigration officers, the group did not indicate their duration of stay in the country or their accommodation address in South Africa. The travellers also did not have the customary departure stamps in their passports,” the BMA said in a statement.
The authority said the Department of Home Affairs later received correspondence from Gift of the Givers, which is now accommodating the group.
According to the BMA, 23 of the Palestinians have since traveled to other destinations.
“Given that Palestinians are eligible for 90-day visa-exempt travel to South Africa, they have been processed as per normal and will be required to adhere to all conditions of entry. The BMA will continue to strictly uphold the legal and regulatory frameworks of the Republic of South Africa,” it said.
A passenger who spoke to Newzroom Afrika said she feared that they might not be allowed entry into South Africa upon arrival.
“I was so nervous, [thinking] will we pass or enter, will they return us? What’s going to happen to us, all these thoughts.”
