A fresh diplomatic storm has erupted after 153 Palestinians unexpectedly arrived at OR Tambo International Airport, triggering clashing accounts from South African officials, the Palestinian Embassy, Israeli authorities, and humanitarian groups.
The sudden appearance of the group on Thursday has left Pretoria scrambling for answers while competing narratives continue to collide.
According to South Africa's Home Affairs Minister, Dr Leon Schreiber, via the governance website , the passengers touched down on a chartered flight from Nairobi on 13 November, with border officials immediately raising red flags. Missing departure stamps, no confirmed accommodation, and the absence of return tickets halted their entry while checks were carried out. Vulnerable travellers were separated and moved onto buses as verification processes unfolded.