Government confirms release of South Africans detained during flotilla mission
The first vessel "Sirius" of a civilian flotilla, carrying pro-Palestinian activists and humanitarian aid and aiming to break the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip, leaves the Barcelona.
Image: Lluis GENE / AFP
The South African government has announced that citizens involved in the recent Global Flotilla Initiative in Israel will be released and repatriated, departing for home via Jordan on Tuesday.
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) has received official notification from Israeli authorities concerning the status of the detained South Africans.
"The Department of International Relations and Cooperation has been formally notified by the Israeli authorities regarding the status of the South African citizens who participated in the recent Global Flotilla Initiative," Dirco spokesperson Chrispin Phiri said.
Phiri added that the government has received confirmation of the imminent release of the individuals. 'We have received confirmation that the individuals in question are scheduled to be released from detention and will be repatriated, departing via Jordan tomorrow morning," he said.
South Africans in Gaza Flotilla set for repatriation tomorrow.
Image: Seethesilenced/Instagram
The South African government has confirmed that citizens who participated in the recent Global Flotilla Initiative in Israel are set to be released and repatriated, departing via Jordan today.
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) received formal notification from Israeli authorities regarding the status of the detained South Africans.
"The Department of International Relations and Cooperation has been formally notified by the Israeli authorities regarding the status of the South African citizens who participated in the recent Global Flotilla Initiative," Dirco spokesperson Chrispin Phiri said.
Phiri added that the government has received confirmation of the imminent release of the individuals. 'We have received confirmation that the individuals in question are scheduled to be released from detention and will be repatriated, departing via Jordan tomorrow morning," he said.
Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, extended his gratitude to all involved.
"We extend our gratitude to all relevant parties, both domestically and internationally, for their cooperation and coordination in ensuring the return of the South African citizens," he said.
Nosekeni Rabia Mandela, wife of activist and grandson of Nelson Mandela, Mandla Mandela, spoke to IOL about the harrowing experience following her husband's abduction in Israel during a humanitarian mission on the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF).
"It has indeed been a turbulent time. He was away for three weeks travelling to Tunisia and then setting sail before they were abducted," she said.
She acknowledged the risks involved in the mission: "We knew from the outset that it was a perilous initiative, and we were not oblivious to the possibility of the current situation unfolding as it has."
The chief's wife detailed the emotional toll on her family, particularly the children. "The children are aware, and continuously ask 'when is daddy coming home?' I try to comfort them and console them in an age-appropriate manner, so they are not too overwhelmed."
She called on governments and international organisations to take stronger action.
"My message to the South African government and international human rights organisations is how can we allow Israel to continue to act with impunity and ignore international law without consequences?" She asked. "I believe it's time to expel Israel from the UN. We must do more to put an end to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza."
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