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Ramaphosa Demands Release Of S.Africans Held In Flotilla Interception

PRETORIA — 2 October 2025

President Cyril Ramaphosa has demanded Israel immediately release South African activists detained after its military seized the humanitarian Sumud Flotilla in international waters on Thursday. The vessels were attempting to deliver aid to Gaza.

Nelson Mandela’s grandson, Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandla Mandela, was among those detained. In a video message, he stated: “I report … my abduction by the aparate state of Israel” and urged government to “exact pressure for my immediate release”.

Ramaphosa said the interception breached international law by occurring beyond Israeli territorial waters. He noted it violated an International Court of Justice order requiring unimpeded aid access to Gaza.

He termed the incident “another grave offence by Israel of global solidarity and sentiment” and said activists’ detention serves “no purpose”.

The Economic Freedom Fighters condemned Israel, labelling it an “apartheid state”. The party called the detentions “not only an affront to human rights, but a direct attack on our nation and its people”.

Other detained South Africans include Zukiswa Wanner, Reeaz Moola, Fatima Hendricks, Nurain Saloojee, Jared Sacks, Zaheera Soomar, Elham Mouaffak-Hatfield, Fazel Behra and Irshaad Chotia.

The EFF demanded Pretoria pursue diplomatic, legal and political measures to secure their release and hold Israel accountable.

The party claimed the incident “only deepened global resistance to Israel’s genocide in Gaza” and revealed Israel’s “fear of truth and humanity”. (Israel had not responded by publication time.)