IMF wants Zimbabwe’s gold-backed ZiG to become sole currency
South Africa lets in 130 Palestinians after initial denial over entry rules
10:33 CAT | 14 Nov 2025
Photo: SA News
South Africa admitted 130 Palestinians who arrived at O.R. Tambo International Airport on Wednesday from Kenya, after initially denying them entry for not meeting immigration requirements, border authorities said on Friday.
The Border Management Authority said a group of 153 Palestinians, who landed in Johannesburg on a chartered Global Airways flight, had not indicated how long or where they intended to stay. They also did not have the required departure stamps in their passports to show where they had boarded the plane.
“Following their failure to pass the immigration test and given that none of the travellers expressed an intention to apply for asylum, they were initially denied entry,” BMA Commissioner Michael Masiapato said in a statement.
The travellers were cleared to enter on Wednesday evening after the Ministry of Home Affairs received correspondence from humanitarian organisation Gift of the Givers, which offered to accommodate the Palestinians during their stay.
By then, 23 of the 153 had already moved on to other destinations, leaving the 130 admitted under the care of Gift of the Givers.
Palestinians are eligible for 90-day visa-free entry to South Africa, subject to compliance with entry conditions, the BMA said.
South Africa has been supportive of the Palestinian cause and filed a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice in 2023, accusing it of genocide in Gaza. Israel has rejected the accusations.
— The Border Management Authority SA (@TheBMA_SA) November 13, 2025
The burning question is who charted a flight carrying 153 Palestinian refugees to South Africa? Gift of the Givers, helped avert a humanitarian crisis at OR Tambo International Airport. The organisation and other civil society partners, are coordinating emergency relief efforts… pic.twitter.com/MwfVLtAnRH
— eNCA (@eNCA) November 14, 2025
[WATCH] The Border Management Authority has confirmed that a group of Palestinian refugees who were initially denied entry into South Africa has now been allowed into the country. 153 Palestinians arrived at the O.R. Tambo International Airport on a chartered flight from Kenya on… pic.twitter.com/81xiF2LeQF
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) November 14, 2025
Source: Reuters
Show comments
Also read
Leave a Reply
Be the First to Comment!
You must be logged in to post a comment.
You must be logged in to post a comment.