By: Zilungile Mkhize
The Department of Home Affairs has revoked South Africa’s 90-day visa exemption for holders of ordinary Palestinian passports following an investigation into alleged abuse of the system.
The decision comes after a chartered flight from Kenya landed at OR Tambo International Airport last month carrying 153 Palestinians. Authorities said the travellers did not have return tickets, proof of accommodation or onwards travel plans and were carrying minimal belongings. This raised concerns that the visa exemption was being used for relocation rather than short-term visits.
Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber said national intelligence structures and the security cluster found what they described as deliberate and ongoing abuse of the visa waiver. The investigation suggested that the travel was not intended for tourism or short stays but was instead aimed at relocating Palestinians from Gaza.
According to the Department, the exemption was introduced to facilitate legitimate short-term travel and not to enable mass movement or resettlement. Officials added that some recent arrivals were left vulnerable after landing in South Africa, prompting assistance from civil society organisations.
Palestinian nationals will now be required to apply for visas for short stays in South Africa. Any asylum applications from recent arrivals will continue to be processed under existing procedures.
