The South African government is “suspicious” about the circumstances surrounding the arrival of a group of Palestinians last week, International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola said.
Speaking during a media briefing on Monday about South Africa’s state of readiness ahead of the G20 summit, Lamola confirmed that the matter is under investigation.
“Indeed, we are suspicious as the South African government. It is an issue of concern to us. It represents a broader agenda to remove Palestinians from Palestine into many different parts of the world and is a clearly orchestrated operation. They are not only being sent to South Africa. There are other countries where flights have been sent,” he said.
‘NO FURTHER FLIGHTS FROM PALESTINE’
Lamola added that South Africa did not want any further flights, describing the operation as an attempt to “cleanse out” Palestinians from Gaza and the West Bank.
His remarks come days after 153 passengers arrived at OR Tambo International Airport on Thursday morning on a chartered Global Airways flight from Kenya.
A stand-off followed after the Border Management Authority (BMA) initially denied them entry because they did not have the required documentation and refused to apply for asylum.
DEPARTMENT OF HOME AFFAIRS PROBE
BMA commissioner Michael Masiapato said the group did not have departure stamps on their passports and could not indicate how long they intended to stay in the country.
However, 130 Palestinians were later granted entry after humanitarian organisation Gift of the Givers confirmed it would accommodate them, while 23 others were transferred to other countries.
The Department of Home Affairs said it allowed the group entry under the standard 90-day visa exemption and confirmed it is investigating claims by the Palestinian embassy that the group was exploited.
