Overview
- A charter carrying 153 Palestinians landed at O.R. Tambo on November 13 and passengers were held for about 12 hours over missing departure stamps and incomplete stay details.
- After Gift of the Givers guaranteed accommodation, Home Affairs authorised entry and the BMA processed 130 travellers under South Africa’s 90‑day visa‑exempt rules as 23 continued to other destinations.
- Home Affairs and the Palestinian embassy say they are probing claims that an unregistered group arranged the trip for money in an irregular and irresponsible manner.
- President Cyril Ramaphosa said the state acted out of compassion and confirmed assessments by Home Affairs, DIRCO and security agencies to determine the flight’s origins and purpose.
- Reports point to a route via Kerem Shalom and Israel’s Ramon Airport, with an Israeli official naming Al‑Majd as a facilitator, while allegations that Israel withheld passport stamps are disputed by local groups.