Dirco reassures families: South African flotilla participants are safe despite mistreatment claims

South African nationals who participated in the Global Sumud Flotilla have reportedly been transferred to a prison in the Negev desert, following their abduction by Israeli naval forces after the flotilla was intercepted in international waters.

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) said the group of South Africans who are detained in Israel is reportedly safe.

"The delegation has confirmed the detainees are in good health and in high spirits. The necessary procedures for their safe passage and return home to SA are advancing steadily," said Dirco spokesperson Chrispin Phiri.

Among those detained were several South Africans, including Nkosi Zwelivelile 'Mandla' Mandela, Zukiswa Wanner, Dr Fatima Hendricks, Zaheera Soomar, Carrie Shelver, and Reaz Moola, along with activists from various countries.

The prison is one of Israel's largest detention facilities. It has historically been used to hold Palestinian political prisoners and security detainees.

Human rights organisations have repeatedly condemned the prison for what they describe as systematic abuse, severe overcrowding, and inhumane living conditions.

Allegations about the prison include:

• Severe overcrowding and poor shelter conditions

Detainees are often housed in tents, sometimes with dozens per unit, exposed to extreme desert temperatures. Tents flood during rain, and bedding is minimal, typically thin mattresses on sand floors.

• Inadequate sanitation, hygiene, and health care

Reports cite scabies outbreaks, sores, and skin infections due to unhygienic conditions and lack of clean water. Medical neglect is common, with treatment delays for chronic or serious conditions.

• Harsh regimes, deprivation of basic necessities

Access to food, hot meals, and showers is restricted. Prisoners have reported being given spoiled or frozen food and going days without bathing.

• Physical violence, beatings, torture, and ill-treatment

Multiple reports describe beatings by guards, torture, and collective punishment raids. After a 2019 incident, guards allegedly beat prisoners en masse and left them handcuffed outdoors for hours.

• Deaths in custody/denial of medical care

Several detainees have died, allegedly after being denied medical attention. Some bodies have reportedly shown signs of violence.

A number of flotilla participants have alleged physical and psychological mistreatment, including being zip-tied for hours, denied access to bathrooms, and subjected to aggressive interrogations.

"They locked us in animal cages... walls had writings in blood in Arabic, 'drink from the toilet', they said. We were starved for 40 hours. They tied an Israeli flag to Greta Thunberg's back," said released journalist Ersin Celik.

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir defended the alleged treatment of the flotilla detainees.

"As I promised, those who joined the (Sumud Freedom) flotilla supporting terrorism are receiving the same treatment as saboteurs in the Negev camp," he said.

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