JOHANNESBURG – In an emotional homecoming at OR Tambo International Airport, six South African activists, including Mandla Mandela, recounted a harrowing tale of abduction in international waters, physical humiliation, and psychological abuse at the hands of Israeli forces, following their participation in the humanitarian “Global Sumud Flotilla.”
The returning South Africans—Reaaz Moola, Zukiswa Wanner, Dr. Fatima Hendricks, Zaheera Soomar, Carrie Shelver, and Mandela—were met by a crowd of supporters and media on Wednesday, 8 October 2025. Their release comes as dozens of other international activists remain in Israeli detention, with some reportedly commencing a hunger strike.
A Political Target and a Denied Photo-Op
Nelson Mandela’s grandson, Mandla Mandela, described a moment laden with political symbolism. He revealed that Israel’s far-right Security Minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, personally sought him out for what Mandela believed was a “political photo op.”
“The irony of this was, what you would regard as the second in command in Israel was rejected by an ordinary captain in the police and told ‘no, you can’t address individuals… move, move’,” Mandela told the press, his voice thick with emotion. “He was ushered to the side and denied that opportunity. He wanted to dehumanise us.”
This alleged attempt at political theatre was just the beginning of their ordeal. Mandela detailed how, after their vessels were stormed by Israeli commandos in international waters, they were forcibly restrained. “Our hands were handcuffed tightly with cable ties behind our backs and our heads pushed down,” he said.
“35 Soldiers Pointing Guns at Our Foreheads”
The activists described a systematic campaign of humiliation during their detention. They were denied showers and legal representation, and they collectively refused to sign any documents presented by their captors.
Dr. Fatima Hendricks provided one of the most chilling accounts, describing a violent cell extraction. “The Israelis used every form of humiliation,” she stated. “During detention, they came into our cells and attacked two women. We had 35 soldiers pointing guns at our foreheads to remove two of our comrades.”
Internationally acclaimed author Zukiswa Wanner highlighted the diplomatic challenges they faced, pointing to the absence of a full South African embassy in Israel. Consular officials from the representative office in Ramallah were barred from seeing them for days. “When they finally saw us it was Sunday, and we were only allowed a few minutes to talk to them,” Wanner said.
A Violation of International Law and a Continuing Mission
The activists and human rights organizations have firmly stated that Israel’s interception of the flotilla was illegal. The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea stipulates that a nation’s territory extends only 12 nautical miles from its shore, a boundary the flotilla had not crossed. Furthermore, as Gaza is considered occupied Palestinian territory, the boats were never in Israeli waters.
Despite the trauma, the activists expressed no regret. “It was a very difficult journey but nothing compares to what the people of Gaza face every single minute of every day,” said Zaheera Soomar. “Even in our hardest moments we were exactly where we wanted to be.”
Their resolve is shared by the broader Freedom Flotilla Coalition. In a defiant continuation of the mission, a second wave of nine boats was intercepted by Israeli forces overnight. David Heap of the Coalition’s Steering Committee condemned the seizure, stating, “This blatantly violates international law and defies the International Court of Justice’s binding orders.”
A Pattern of Denial and Escalation
The Israeli government has flatly denied all allegations of mistreatment. In a statement on X, the Israeli Foreign Ministry dismissed claims regarding the abuse of high-profile activist Greta Thunberg as “lies.” However, these denials are contradicted by other governments; Australian officials confirmed their detainees complained of a “dystopian” prison environment involving beatings and sleep deprivation.
Adding a disturbing new dimension to the conflict, a CBS News report, citing U.S. intelligence officials, revealed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had personally ordered a covert drone attack from a submarine on two of the flotilla’s vessels last month while they were docked in Tunisia.
As the six South Africans recover from their ordeal, their testimony has intensified global scrutiny on Israel’s enforcement of its blockade and its treatment of those who challenge it, framing their personal humiliation within the larger, ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
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