By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Nkosi Zwelivelile “Mandla” Mandela, a grandson of late South African first indigenous President and anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela on arrived Johannesburg following his detention and deportation by Israel.
He was part of Global Sumud Flotilla seeking to deliver aid to the war-torn Gaza and was detained by Israel
The flotilla was intercepted in international waters after it had unsuccessfully sought to challenge Israel’s blockade of Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid to the besieged territory.
Mandla, who returned home with four other South Africans, said he and the group he was with were held in an Israeli prison for six days before being released via Jordan.
“We were handcuffed with cable ties tied tightly behind our backs, taken off our boats, put on the platform and paraded for all … to see,” Mandela, 51, said at the airport, where he was greeted by supporters waving Palestinian flags.
“But it’s nothing compared to what Palestinians have been subjected to on a daily basis,” he said, referring to Israel’s military offensive against Hamas since the Palestinian militant group’s deadly attack on Israel two years ago.
South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) in a statement on Tuesday confirmed that it had been formally notified by Israeli authorities regarding the status of the detained citizens.
“We have received confirmation that the individuals in question are scheduled to be released from detention and will be repatriated, departing via Jordan tomorrow morning,” the statement read.
Minister of Justice and Correctional Services Ronald Lamola expressed his gratitude to all parties involved in securing the activists’ release. “We appreciate the cooperation and coordination, both domestically and internationally, that ensured the safe return of our citizens,” Lamola said.
South Africa alleged that Israel had committed and was committing genocide in Gaza, contravening the Genocide Convention, including what South Africa described as Israel’s 75-year apartheid, 56-year occupation, and 16-year blockade of the Strip.
South Africa requested that the International Court of Justice to indicate provisional measures of protection, including the immediate suspension of Israel’s operations.
