South Africa has abruptly ended its long-standing 90-day visa exemption for Palestinians using ordinary passports, after intelligence agencies uncovered what they described as an orchestrated effort to exploit the system.
According to the Department of Home Affairs, recent investigations showed a pattern of deliberate misuse, prompting Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber to withdraw the exemption with immediate effect. The move follows a high-level probe triggered by the unexpected arrival of two privately chartered flights carrying Palestinian nationals in November.
Authorities were alerted when it emerged that nearly all passengers on the flights had arrived on one-way tickets and without the documentation required for short-term stays. Intelligence reports concluded that the exemption was being used not for tourism or brief visits, but to facilitate the relocation of Palestinians from Gaza amid the ongoing conflict.
Schreiber said the chartered aircraft were arranged by intermediaries rather than the travellers themselves, raising further concerns that the visa-free entry system was being deliberately targeted for circumvention, as per EWN.
The minister confirmed that government anticipates more Palestinians were preparing to enter the country under the same arrangement. With the exemption now withdrawn, the department will process asylum applications from the travellers who already arrived on the controversial charter flights. Those who do not apply for asylum will retain the original 90-day allowance, in line with the law.
Going forward, Palestinian travellers will be required to apply for visas through the standard channels. Schreiber emphasised that legitimate visitors will still be welcome, but warned that any future attempts to exploit South African entry policies ‘will be rejected.’
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