Overview

• Dirco confirmed the six South Africans reached Jordan on Tuesday morning and are due to land at OR Tambo International on Wednesday, 8 October, at about 9:30am.
• The group comprises Mandla Mandela, Zukiswa Wanner, Reaaz Moola, Zaheera Soomar, Dr Fatima Hendricks and Carrie Shelver.
• Israeli forces seized the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters on 1–2 October, drawing disputes over jurisdiction as Israel alleges illegal entry and lawyers argue activists were forced into Israel.
• Reports from organisers and counsel describe denial of food, water and medication, physical abuse and unsanitary conditions, with about 40 detainees said to be on hunger strike.
• Dirco rejected claims that South African taxpayers will fund the return, stating families and solidarity groups are covering costs as broader deportations of flotilla participants continue.