Cape Town – Mandla Mandela, activist and grandson of Nelson Mandela, was reportedly kidnapped by Israeli forces while sailing to Gaza as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF).
Mandela had pre-recorded a message warning that interception could occur and urged the South African government to secure his release.
“My name is Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandela. I’m a citizen of the Republic of South Africa. If you are receiving this video, it means that we have been intercepted and have been abducted by the apartheid state of Israel.
“I call on you to request our government to exert pressure for my immediate release,” he said.
I’ve just heard that the boat, part of the Gaza air flotilla, carrying Mandla Mandela has been intercepted and that Mandela has been captured.
A Mandela being captured, yet again, while fighting for human rights and justice is a shocking repeat of history.
The fact that the… pic.twitter.com/eee09ggnNU— Brett Herron 🇿🇦🍉 (@brettherron) October 1, 2025
The flotilla, carrying South African civilians on a humanitarian mission, was attacked in international waters with drones and water cannons, IOL reported.
The Global Sumud Flotilla condemned the interception, calling it an illegal attempt to block aid to Gaza and highlighting the ongoing siege.
They demanded the immediate release of all detained delegates and urged Israel to respect international law.
WATCH | Israeli vessels are reportedly surrounding the Alma, one of the flotilla’s ships bound for Gaza. Chief Mandla Mandela, who is part of a South African delegation with the flotilla, is urging governments across the world to exert pressure on Israel to release them. pic.twitter.com/ANLZfymzz8
— SABC News (@SABCNews) October 1, 2025
According to The Citizen, Israel’s Foreign Ministry stated that several ships of the Global Sumud Flotilla were “safely intercepted” and that passengers were being transferred to an Israeli port.
The ministry added that the navy had instructed the vessels to change course as they were “approaching an active combat zone” and warned it would “not allow any vessel to enter” Gaza’s blockade.
The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) condemned the interception, saying Israeli forces ambushed the flotilla in international waters, detaining some delegates and attacking the vessels with drones and water cannons.
GSF described the actions as illegal under international law and a deliberate attempt to silence solidarity efforts and block humanitarian aid to Gaza.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
