Image Source: The Guardian
Local – Spokesperson for the Civil Society Action Group, Na’eem Jeenah, expressed concern over the relocation of 176 Palestinian refugees from Gaza who recently arrived in South Africa under unclear and troubling circumstances.
The refugees, he said, were mostly families, parents and children, who had fled Israeli bombardments and were left destitute by the time they reached Johannesburg.
Jeenah explained that the group’s journey was marked by deception and humiliation. The refugees reportedly applied to leave Gaza through an online platform run by what he described as a “somewhat dubious organisation.”
They were informed at short notice that they would be departing, but on the day of travel, they were ordered to take only small rucksacks.
When they crossed into Israel, “they were told that they’re not allowed even the rucksacks and could only take phones, passports, and some money.”
The refugees were then transported to an Israeli air base and placed on a plane without being told their destination.
The flight first landed in Nairobi before they were transferred to a chartered aircraft bound for South Africa.
Upon arrival at OR Tambo International Airport, they were dispersed across guesthouses and hotels around Johannesburg.
“They were booked into this for seven days, and that was it. And then all communication from this organisation to them stopped.”
Community Mobilisation and Government Response
Jeenah said that once the situation came to light, South African civil society acted quickly to assist the refugees. Volunteers and humanitarian organisations stepped in to provide accommodation, meals, and medical care.
He noted that this rapid response reflected the “spirit of Ubuntu” among ordinary South Africans, who were moved by the refugees’ plight.
However, Jeenah warned that the circumstances surrounding the group’s arrival remained deeply concerning.
He revealed that the mysterious organisation coordinating their travel appeared to have ties to Israel, prompting fears of political manipulation.
For this reason, the Civil Society Action Group and partner organisations have “called on the South African government to launch urgently an investigation into this whole thing — why it happened, how it happened… and what the underlying motivation of all of this is.”
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has not yet issued a formal statement on the matter.
Jeenah indicated that the department was likely aware of the situation but might be assessing it internally before commenting. Civil society groups, however, remain firm in their demand for transparency and accountability.
