Home Affairs clarifies that Palestinian group that landed at ORTIA did not seek asylum

The Department of Home Affairs has clarified that 153 travellers from Palestine who landed at OR Tambo International Airport on Wednesday morning did not apply for asylum in South Africa.

The group arrived on a flight from Nairobi, Kenya. Initially, they were not allowed to disembark as they lacked the customary departure stamps in their passports.

The department later granted them entry after receiving crucial information and confirmation.

"After receiving more information from the Palestinian Embassy and getting confirmation that they would have a place to stay, the department allowed them entry into the country," the department stated.

Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber confirmed the group was permitted entry after a reassessment.

"I presented the new fact set to the BMA Commissioner for consideration, including on humanitarian grounds. Once satisfied that the absence of certain elements from their itinerary would not leave them destitute in South Africa in the absence of any asylum claims, the travellers were granted entry into South Africa on the standard 90-day visa exemption, subject to compliance with the standard conditions."

Schreiber added that by the time entry was granted, 23 members of the group had already taken onward flights to other destinations.