South Africa revokes 90-day visa exemption

South Africa Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber, who last month entered the country on a private jet without valid documents, stated thatthe investigation into 153 Palestinians workinghas concluded. Schreiber announced that, in line with theinvestigationsconductedby national intelligence units and the recommendations provided,Israeli actorsin Gaza as part of efforts for the'voluntary migration' ofresidents of the Strip, SouthAfrica's 90-day visaexemption granted toPalestinians was beingabused in a deliberateand systematic mannerit was determined thatitwas announced.

Schreiberstatedthat the violations were not organized by the passengers themselves, but by intermediaries. The minister noted thatmany passengers were carrying one-way tickets to South Africaand were not bringing any luggage, carrying only US dollars for their basic needsthat they possessed materials forHe emphasized that many passengers alsolacked exit confirmation and accommodation details. When allfindingsare evaluated together, it becomes clear that the exemption was being used for reasonsinconsistent with its purpose,leading to externaldemonstrated that it wasopenlyandsystematicallyabused bythepartiesinvolvedThe Minister stated that the organizersintended to leave the passengershelpless upon their arrivalin the country, describing the situation as a "direct exploitation of the passengers."

Schreiber stated that the visa exemption was revokedto prevent further victimization of Palestinians.it was decided to revoke theannouncing, "Withdrawing the exemption is not only the most effective way to prevent similar situationsfrom occurring in the future, but it will also ensure that Palestinians whotruly come to our country for visits can travel safely without being exploited," he said.

On November 14, 153 Palestinian passengers, had arrived via a privately chartered flight with a layover in KenyaatSouth Africa'sOR Tambo International Airport.

TheSouth African BorderManagement Authority,regarding the passports of Palestiniansthat there were no Israeli exitstamps, and that returnticketsand accommodation address information could not be provided. Officials had reported that Palestinians were kept waiting on the plane for nearly 12 hours.Following theinterrogation, 130 of the Palestinians were granted entry into the countrywith the standard 90-day visa exemption.while work permits were being issued, 23of themwere directed to other locationsIt wasreported that the Palestinians who set out from the Gaza Strip were traveling without knowing their destination andit was stated thattheywas announced.

News Source: 12punto