Gift Of The Givers Condemns 12-Hour Stranding Of Palestinian Refugees At OR Tambo Airport

Humanitarian organisation Gift of the Givers has criticised the prolonged detention of 153 Palestinian refugees on a plane at OR Tambo International Airport, describing the situation as “unacceptable.”

The passengers were stranded on the tarmac on Thursday after landing from Kenya aboard a charter flight operated by South African airline Global Airways.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: State Still Confirming Whether Zimbabwean Politician Job Sikhala Has Criminal Record

Border officials were reportedly unable to disembark the travellers immediately due to the absence of required departure stamps.

Imtiaz Sooliman, Chair of Gift of the Givers, said the incident was entirely avoidable, noting that the organisation had already made arrangements to accommodate the refugees upon arrival.

Gift of the Givers Urges Government Investigation

“Gift of the Givers calls on President Cyril Ramaphosa to investigate the Department of Home Affairs and Border Management Authority for the inhumanity.

“The lack of empathy, total disgrace and the humiliation they have caused the people of Palestine, 153 refugees waiting on the tarmac of OR Tambo for 13 hours,” Sooliman said.

The organisation emphasised the emotional and physical toll on the stranded refugees and criticised the authorities for failing to uphold basic humanitarian standards in handling the situation.

---

For More, Follow SurgeZirc SA On  Facebook, X,  Instagram and Bluesky