Ramaphosa calls for immediate release of S Africans abducted from Sumud Flotilla

President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for the immediate release of South Africans abducted in international waters, and other nationals who have tried to reach Gaza with humanitarian aid.

The Global Sumud Flotilla is delivering urgent humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, and attempting to raise awareness of the need to stop the war.

A UN Commission of Inquiry has concluded that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, incited by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Activist and former President Nelson Mandela's grandson Mandla Mandela, was on board the flotilla. He is urging government to add pressure for his immediate release.

In a pre-recorded video Mandela said he was kidnapped by Israeli forces who intercepted the flotilla.

"…if you are receiving this video, it means that we have been intercepted and I have been abducted by the apartheid State of Israel, I call on you to request our government to exact pressure for my immediate release," he said.

The Global Sumud Flotilla emerged in July 2025 through the consolidation of multiple activist and humanitarian movements, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, the Global Movement to Gaza, the Maghreb Sumud Flotilla, and Sumud Nusantara, into a coordinated maritime effort.

The flotilla comprises over 40 vessels with 500 participants from more than 44 countries, making it the largest civilian-led convoy of its kind in history.

South Africans who were on board the flotilla include Mandela, Zukiswa Wanner and Reaaz Moolla.

Ramaphosa said confirmation is pending on the abduction of Zaheera Soomar, Fatima Hendricks and Carrie Shelver.

"My thoughts are with all 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 said.

He pointed out that the interception in international waters off the coast of Gaza reinforces Israel's continued violation of international law and the infliction of suffering and starvation on Palestinians.

"The interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla is another grave offence by Israel of global solidarity and sentiment that is aimed at relieving suffering in Gaza and advancing peace in the region," Ramaphosa said.

He added that the interception of the flotilla in international waters is contrary to international law and violates the sovereignty of the nations whose flags were flown on the dozens of vessels in the flotilla.

"This action also violates an International Court of Justice injunction that humanitarian aid must be allowed to flow unimpeded," he said.

Ramaphosa called on Israel to ensure that the life-saving cargo transported by this flotilla reaches the people of Gaza, stressing that the flotilla represents solidarity with Gaza, not confrontation with Israel.

Ramaphosa spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said South Africa supports the call by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights for Israel to urgently lift the blockade on Gaza and allow the entry of life-saving material through all means possible.