The Department of Home Affairs has confirmed that a group of 153 travellers from Palestine who arrived at OR Tambo International Airport this week did not apply for asylum in South Africa, despite earlier confusion about their status.
The group arrived on Wednesday morning on a flight from Nairobi. Officials initially prevented them from disembarking after discovering that their passports did not contain the expected departure stamps, prompting verification checks and delays.
Entry Approved After Embassy Intervention
Home Affairs later allowed the group to enter the country after receiving additional documentation and assurances. Information provided by the Palestinian Embassy, including confirmation that the travellers had accommodation arrangements in place, enabled authorities to clear them for entry.
Humanitarian Grounds Cited in Final Decision
Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber said the decision followed a reassessment of the case, which considered humanitarian factors. The travellers were ultimately admitted under South Africa’s standard 90-day visa exemption, provided they complied with the usual entry conditions. By the time approval was granted, 23 members of the group had already boarded connecting flights to other destinations.
President Ramaphosa Supports Clearance
On Thursday, President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed support for the government’s handling of the situation. The travellers had remained on the aircraft for about 13 hours while officials worked to verify their documents and determine their eligibility for entry.
Exceptional Circumstances Informed Government Approach
Government said the exceptional circumstances faced by the group informed its decision to permit their temporary stay in the country.
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