Podcaster Penuel Mlotshwa is among many South Africans who have questioned why a group of 153 Palestinian refugees were not only on board a chartered flight to South Africa, but were permitted entry.
On Friday, authorities confirmed that the group had disembarked their aircraft after a lengthy delay, despite not possessing the relevant documentation. They were received by the humanitarian organisation Gift of the Givers, who thanked the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) for their assistance.
PENUEL MLOTSHWA QUESTIONS ARRIVAL OF PALESTINIAN REFUGEES
On the X platform, the illegal arrival of the 153 Palestinian refugees were a hot topic.
Many questioned who had charted the flight from Israel, via Gaza, to South Africa, and how authorities had greenlit their illegal entry.
Podcaster Penual Mlotshwa added his voice to the discussion, saying in a video post: “It seems like everyone at the highest level is ok with Palestinians being here illegally…The South African government is saying, ‘Sharp, sharp, you guys can stay here…’
The outspoken internet personality questioned why the refugees had chosen South Africa, out of all the countries in the world.
He continued: “Look at where Palestine is, look at all the Arab countries around it, look at all the African countries around it. Palestine is incredibly far from South Africa. Why would they come here?
“This country is clearly a playground for any international interests who pay to do what they want here…We have people from all over the world who come here and do as they please.
“Who cleared for them to land without paperwork? NPOs and government gave them the green light. When they could’ve gone to any other country, in the Middle East, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Asia, India, or other parts of Africa.
He added: “They came to South Africa because this country is not designed to serve the citizens…
“They keep gaslighting the citizens to see how far they can push us before we revolt against government and the rich who fund it”
WHO CHARTERED THE FLIGHT?
According to the Palestinian Embassy, the flight containing the 153 refugees was arranged by “an unregistered organisation that exploited the humanitarian conditions of our people in Gaza, deceived families, collected money from them and facilitated their travel in an irregular and irresponsible manner”.
It added: “The entity later attempted to disown any responsibility when complications arose”.
Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber stated that the claims would be investigated.
He said: “The department will continue to work with the Palestinian Embassy and the rest of the South African security cluster to probe these claims.
“Even as we do so, we remain steadfast in our commitment to safeguarding the dignity of vulnerable people at all times.”
