South Africa Allows 130 Palestinians Entry After Initial Airport Denial

Johannesburg — South African authorities admitted 130 Palestinians into the country on Wednesday after initially denying them entry at O.R. Tambo International Airport due to incomplete travel documentation. The group had arrived from Kenya on a chartered Global Airways flight.

Border Management Authority officials confirmed that 153 passengers initially faced entry denial because they had not specified how long they intended to stay or provided details of their accommodation in South Africa. Additionally, several passengers lacked the required departure stamps in their passports, which are mandatory to show where they had boarded the aircraft.

Following verification and additional checks, authorities allowed 130 of the travelers to enter South Africa, while a small number of individuals remained under review to clarify their travel intentions. The incident underscores the importance of adhering to South Africa’s immigration and border control procedures, particularly for international visitors arriving from non-direct flights.

The group’s arrival attracted attention amid broader regional concerns over migration documentation and the enforcement of immigration laws. The Border Management Authority emphasized that South Africa maintains strict entry requirements to ensure proper monitoring of visitors and compliance with international travel protocols.

Travel experts noted that chartered flights carrying groups of international passengers often face extra scrutiny, particularly when documentation is incomplete or unclear. Authorities advised future travelers to ensure that all passports, visas, and departure records are in order before departure to avoid delays or entry refusals.

The Palestinian group’s entry was eventually permitted without incident, highlighting the balance authorities seek between enforcing regulations and facilitating legitimate travel.