South African activists, including Mandla Mandela, are set to return home on Tuesday, departing via Jordan.
The department of international relations and cooperation (Dirco) has confirmed that Israeli authorities formally notified it about the release of Mandla Mandela and other fellow South African activists who were detained last week.
In a statement on Monday, the department said the group is scheduled to be repatriated on Tuesday morning, departing via Israel’s neighbouring country Jordan.
“Minister Lamola extends his gratitude to all relevant parties, both domestically and internationally, for their cooperation and coordination in ensuring the return of the South African citizens,” the statement read.
“The South African government remains committed to the safety and well-being of its citizens abroad.”
Flotilla interception and detentions
Their release comes after Israeli naval forces intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) fleet of 41 vessels carrying Mandela – the grandson of Nelson Mandela – and more than 400 people to Gaza to provide humanitarian aid to the area.
Passengers included politicians, activists and aid workers, of whom 296 were detained.
According to the GSF website, 166 people have been freed so far.
WATCH: Mandla Mandela’s video before the interception
ALSO READ: Mandla Mandela ‘abduction’: SA President Cyril Ramaphosa’s message to Israel
The Israeli embassy also confirmed the scheduled release in a post on social media platform X.
Addressing President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday afternoon, the embassy said: “@CyrilRamaphosa: We trust @DIRCO_ZA has informed you that all South Africans who tried to enter illegally will be expelled tomorrow via Jordan.
“As always, it’s the South African taxpayers who get the honour of paying for their fellow citizens’ deportation tickets.”
Ramaphosa’s call to Israel
Ramaphosa had called for the release of all the detained South Africans on Thursday.
“On behalf of our government and nation, I call on Israel to immediately release the South Africans abducted in international waters and to release other nationals who have tried to reach Gaza with humanitarian aid,” the president said.
“My thoughts are with all of the abductees and their families, and it is my expectation that Israel will release the human rights activists, as these abductions serve no purpose in the context of efforts to secure peace in the Middle East.”
He called the interception of the flotilla in international waters contrary to international law and said it violated the sovereignty of every nation whose flag was flown on the vessels.
ALSO READ: GSF Flotilla detainees in ‘high spirits’ despite Israeli abduction
Ramaphosa also said Israel’s actions violated an International Court of Justice injunction that humanitarian aid must be allowed to flow unimpeded.
On the other hand, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the navy’s interception.
“I commend the soldiers and commanders of the navy who carried out their mission on Yom Kippur in the most professional and efficient manner.
“Their important action prevented dozens of vessels from entering the war zone and repelled a campaign of delegitimisation against Israel,” he said on Thursday.
Despite the interception, 30 vessels were able to continue on to Gaza, the GSF confirmed.
Global Sumud Flotilla
The Global Sumud Flotilla is a multinational civilian-led mission of more than 500 doctors, lawyers, parliamentarians, unionists and human rights defenders delivering medical aid and food to Gaza’s besieged population.
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