- 153 Palestinian travellers were delayed at O.R. Tambo for verification but were later granted entry under the standard visa exemption.
- Vulnerable travellers were cared for during the process; none applied for asylum.
- Authorities and the Palestinian embassy are investigating an unregistered organisation for misleading the travellers.
A chartered flight carrying 153 Palestinian travellers sparked attention at OR Tambo International Airport when officials paused their entry for additional verification checks. After a brief delay, all were cleared under South Africa’s standard 90-day visa exemption.
On 13 November 2025, the flight arrived from Nairobi, Kenya. Border Management Authority (BMA) officials noticed some passports lacked departure stamps, and several travellers did not have return tickets or accommodation details for their stay in South Africa.
Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber, clarified that Palestinian passport holders are allowed to enter South Africa without a visa for up to 90 days, but are still subject to normal security and verification procedures. “The lack of departure stamps, return tickets, and accommodation details required further verification before granting entry,” Schreiber explained.
Vulnerable members of the travelling party were accommodated in air-conditioned buses throughout the process. The government, working closely with the Palestinian Embassy, confirmed that all travellers would receive accommodation and care, and that none intended to apply for asylum. By the time entry was granted under the normal 90-day visa exemption, 23 members had already continued to other destinations.
Response to allegations
The Palestinian Embassy condemned the actions of an unregistered organisation that arranged the travel. The embassy stated the organisation “exploited the tragic humanitarian conditions of our people in Gaza, deceived families, collected money from them, and facilitated their travel in an irregular and irresponsible manner.”
Schreiber assured that the Department of Home Affairs would work with the embassy and the South African security cluster to investigate these claims. He emphasised the government’s commitment to protecting the dignity and safety of vulnerable people during immigration processes. “All of the travellers have valid passports, and none have applied for asylum at this time,” he added.
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