ANC Calls Out Communication Failure on Palestinian Asylum Issue

• The African National Congress (ANC) Secretary-General, Fikile Mbalula, has opened up about the Palestinian asylum issue
• This comes after a group of 153 Palestinians were prevented from entering the country at the OR Tambo International Airport
• Mbalula stated that there had been a communication gap with our government regarding the Palestinian asylum seekers

The African National Congress (ANC) Secretary-General, Fikile Mbalula, has noted that there has been a significant communication gap from the government regarding the Palestinian asylum seekers who were prevented from entering the country at the OR Tambo International Airport on 13 November 2025.

What did Mbalula say?

Mbalula stated that government ministers should be at the forefront of explaining the events that unfolded at OR Tambo International Airport. He said the government, particularly the Department of Home Affairs, led by the DA’s Leon Schreiber, had failed to inform citizens effectively. He added that South Africans have a right to be fully informed.

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According to Mbalula, the ANC wants Palestinians to be granted asylum status, as South Africa is a signatory to the Geneva Convention. He said the government and GCIS must communicate the issue more effectively. The secretary-general stated that he had never met any government official regarding this matter. He noted that he had seen Gift of the Givers and a statement from the Border Management Agency (BMA). Mbalula made it clear that this is not a border management issue.

Where is the government?

Mbalula wanted to know how the aeroplane got to South Africa. He said that this needed to be done through the government. He slammed the Minister of Home Affairs, Leon Schreiber, and said that he needs to explain the procedures that were followed.

He said that the Palestinians should be granted asylum status as a matter of need. He explained that this may be part of the depopulation that is happening in Palestine. He speculated that it may be part of United States President Donald Trump's plan.

What did South Africans say?

Social media users shared their opinions regarding what Mbalula said.

@smart_chickSA said:

"So tell us, Fikile, will the citizens of SA be informed about the 176 Palestinian refugees that landed in Jhb on the 28th of Oct as well or just the 13th of Nov?"

@Michelleburn37 said:

"Firstly, blaming the Minister of Home Affairs, then admitting that the ANC knew and approved entry to any Palestinian asylum seeker (meaning a “free for all” advert) to any country where our borders are open. Next are the refugee ships at our ports."

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@Squirrel1980021 said:

"You need to tell Cyril to fire that Minister of Home Affairs."

@LihleNgconde said:

"Minister of Foreign Affairs is your member, President of the country is your member, you guys can summon them any day to explain this issue, but you guys always want to be "shocked" as if you don't have members running critical positions in government."

@masurpi said:

"The Minister probably wasn’t aware of this and wasn’t consulted when they landed."

2 Briefly News articles about Palestine

Briefly News also reported that President Cyril Ramaphosa urged the International Court of Justice on 23 September to rule that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. He spoke during his address at the 80th United Nations General Assembly.

Ramaphosa also called for the release of citizens who were on the Global Sumud Flotilla. It was on a humanitarian mission to deliver aid to Palestinians in Gaza when they were intercepted on 2 October 2025.

Source: Briefly News