South Africa to investigate ‘mysterious’ arrival of 153 Palestinians on plane

Passengers were held on runway for 12 hours after landing in Johannesburg without travel documents, confusing airport authorities

South Africa will investigate the mysterious" arrival of scores of Palestinians who were kept on a charter plane at Johannesburg for 12 hours by border police because they did not have travel papers, the president has said.

A group of 153 Palestinians arrived at Johannesburg airport on a chartered Global Airways flight from Kenya on Thursday without departure stamps, return tickets or details of accommodation, according to the border authorities.