Home Affairs Confirms Palestinian Travellers At OR Tambo Did Not Seek Asylum

The Department of Home Affairs has moved to dispel confusion following the arrival of 153 travellers from Palestine at OR Tambo International Airport on Wednesday morning.

The group, which landed on a flight from Nairobi, Kenya, was initially held on board after officials noticed their passports did not contain customary departure stamps.

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Authorities later cleared the group for entry after receiving essential verification from diplomatic representatives. According to the department, once the missing information was supplied, the situation was resolved without the need for asylum applications.

“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 Details Why Entry Was Initially Delayed

Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber confirmed that the group had been reassessed before being granted normal entry.

He explained that a new set of facts was presented to the Border Management Authority (BMA), which then reviewed the travellers’ circumstances, including humanitarian considerations.

“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.”

Travellers Granted Standard Visa Exemption

Home Affairs emphasised that none of the travellers applied for asylum, and their entry fell within normal visa protocols.

The department further noted that the group had onward travel plans, and by the time clearance was confirmed, 23 travellers had already departed for other destinations.

The department reiterated that the process followed was standard procedure when documentation discrepancies arise, and the matter had been resolved following proper verification.

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