Lamola Launches Investigation into Palestinian Plane Landing

‘Human-trafficking syndicate’ allegedly linked to illegal refugee flights

 Minister of International Relations and Foreign Affairs, Ronald Lamola, has confirmed that an investigation will be conducted into the mysterious plane landing of 153 Palestinians who arrived in South Africa last Thursday. 

The minister mentioned that their suspicions have arisen from the South African government about the plane and its passengers, from parts of Gaza and the West Bank, as the issue has become a national concern and represents a broader agenda to remove Palestinians from Palestine and place them in various parts of the world. 

“We do not want any further flights coming to South Africa as this is a clear indication to cleanse Palestinians from parts of Gaza and the West Bank- areas that South Africa is against,” said Lamola. 

Gift of the Givers founder, Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, further alleged that was not the first instance of a plane filled with Palestinians to arrive in South Africa - a broad reference to a previous incident where another  plane that reportedly carried more than 170 passengers allegedly also landed in the country before the recent incident. It is alleged that these trips are made possible by ‘Al Majd Europe’- an organisation that was reported by a different news publication, to have allegedly transported families that are linked to human-trafficking. 

The group was initially denied entrance at OR Tambo International Airport due to indecent and inadequate documentation.  After spending close to 12 hours at the airport, the families were eventually granted entry on the basis of humanitarian grounds.