Latest news with #JimiMatthews
Mail & Guardian
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Mail & Guardian
Egypt stops Global March on Gaza in its tracks
Protest: About 4 000 people from about 80 countries met in Cairo and had planned to walk 45km from el-Arish in Egypt's North Sanai Governorate to Rafah on the southern border of the Gaza Strip. But they were stopped before even reaching the border. Photo: Jimi Matthews The day started with fear and uncertainty. We had arrived in Cairo two days before amid rumours of detentions, assaults, and deportations. A former colleague of mine had warned, 'Watch your back, the authorities are hectic.' I was in Egypt to join the Global March on Gaza scheduled for Friday 13 June. About 4 000 activists from more than 80 countries had responded to the call to go to the border of Egypt and Gaza, set up a camp and demand the opening of humanitarian corridors into Gaza and an end to the siege. The idea was to meet in Cairo, board a convoy of buses and to travel to the town of el-Arish in the Sinai Peninsula. Carrying rucksacks, sleeping bags and tents, the participants would then march 45 kilometres on foot to the Rafah border. Arriving in Cairo as tourists, we would be informed where the pick-up points for the buses would be. We had also been informed that the Egyptian authorities had been approached for permission to proceed to el-Arish. Even before leaving South Africa, we had heard that people were being turned back at the airport in Cairo or that some who had cleared customs were being rounded up and deported. The atmosphere was reminiscent of those old spy movies set in the Eastern Bloc. 'Be careful who you speak to, try not to attract any attention, don't venture out on your own, beware, even the walls have ears.' Stories of the notoriety of Egyptian prison conditions and the 'disappearance' of people were rife. There were also stories of people who had been attacked by locals opposed to our presence. And above all, that the march would not be allowed. And so we spent Thursday night huddled in our hotels like fugitives. Surreptitiously we were instructed to be ready to leave at 7am. Directions to the pick-up points would be issued just before we leave the hotel. Later on, the departure time was changed to 12.30. In the reception area our cohort was informed of a further change in plans. For security reasons we would no longer be travelling by bus. We needed to divide ourselves into groups of three and call for a taxi or an Uber and head off to an address provided. We were instructed to leave the hotel one group at a time, to be followed by the next, only if the previous group had informed the others that they were in their respective vehicles and on their way. We (myself and two other South Africans) were the first to leave. With rucksacks on our backs and the best wishes of our fellow travellers, we stepped into the blinding midday sunlight and made our way to the street corner where our Uber would pick us up. Muhammed, our driver, a pleasant affable chap, offered us a cigarette, as we set off on the highway out of Cairo. About an hour out of Cairo we reached the Kamphashir toll station. It was chaos. Cars, tourist buses and minicabs were being held up by dozens and dozens of law enforcement types, some in uniforms, others in plain clothes, all of them armed. There was also a military presence. People were being asked for their passports and told to step out of their vehicles and wait on the side of the road. Amid it all, we concocted a story that we were heading to a youth hostel just beyond the toll gate to spend a few days at the ocean. After handing over our passports and having our phones scrutinised, we were told to join the masses on the side of the road. Nobody seemed to know what was going on except that it was quite obvious that the authorities were onto us. We speculated that we would probably be forced onto the police transport vehicles and either taken directly to the airport to be deported or, worse, taken to a detention centre. Some of the organisers tried to negotiate our safe passage to continue. After about an hour the authorities offered back our passports on condition that we returned to Cairo. And because most of the taxis and Uber drivers had understandably left the scene, we would have to make use of the transport provided by the police. A few 'delegates' took up the offer but the majority of the roughly 250 people chose to stay put, determined to continue on our mission. The decision was also taken that if we were not allowed to proceed then we would set up camp right there on the side of the road. The rejection of the offer seemed to infuriate the officers present. After almost three hours in the scorching heat, we were penned in a confined space and told to wait as more military and crowd control vehicles rolled up. Men armed with Kalashnikovs and other weaponry surrounded us. About 4 000 people from about 80 countries met in Cairo and had planned to walk 45km from el-Arish in Egypt's North Sanai Governorate to Rafah on the southern border of the Gaza Strip. But they were stopped before even reaching the border. Photo: Jimi Matthews We were informed that we would not be allowed to proceed with our journey and that if we did not board the buses that had now replaced the police vehicles we would not get our passports back. During the standoff we made the most of the solidarity inspired by comrades rallying around a common cause. There were activists from around the world, sharing what food and water that they had. Young people chanting the now universally known slogans in support of Palestine. A small group of Turkish musicians, playing traditional instruments and singing soulful songs, kept us entertained. Despite the oppressive heat, our spirits were high, united in our determination not to be moved. And then, unannounced, a bunch of large burly men, bouncer types, descended on us. Senior activists advised the group to sit down, remain calm, interlock our arms and offer no resistance. In the face of barked commands and threats, a group of young people started singing freedom songs in support of Palestine. On command, the men suddenly started grabbing at those on the fringes. Any resistance was met by hard body blows and kicks. Some people also suffered baton blows to the body. In the ensuing panic we were forced to board the buses. Still shook up, I realised I was on the wrong bus. In the bus alongside singing broke out and the young people were rocking again, undaunted by the threats of violence. We were kept waiting on the buses until our passports were returned to each of us. In the dark we headed back to Cairo. And then on the outskirts of Cairo we were unceremoniously dropped off, two or three at a time, at random intervals. Still shook up we made our way back to the hotel. As I reflected on the day, I realised we had won. We were not cowered. We did not make it to Rafah but we did not capitulate. Our demand for the humanitarian aid corridors to Gaza to be opened and an end to the siege remain. Jimi Matthews is a writer, photographer, editor, cameraman and producer. He covered the First Intifada in 1989 and has visited the Occupied Territories many times since then. His work included a major photo exhibition of his visit in 2023.
IOL News
17-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Pro-Palestinian activists detained in Cairo while marching for Gaza aid
South African delegation at the third checkpoint with global activists from 80 different countries. Image: Jimi Matthews Over 200 international pro-Palestinian activists, including notable figures like Mandla Mandela, were arrested in Cairo, while attempting to march to the Rafah border crossing to demand increased humanitarian aid for Gaza. Among the detainees were activists from Algeria, Australia, France, Morocco, the Netherlands, Spain, the United States and South Africa. Mandela, Chief of the Mvezo Traditional Council and grandson of former South African president Nelson Mandela, was among the activists who were detained at a checkpoint for over six hours on June 13. Basheerah Soomar, the head of the South African delegation for Global March to Gaza, was among 53 South Africans, who travelled to Cairo, Egypt, as part of the delegation. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ 'About half of us left South Africa for Cairo on June 11 and the remainder left on June 12. Seven South Africans were detained at the airport upon arrival. They were kept for a few hours without being told why they were there, along with activists from other countries, including Greece and Spain. 'Our embassy put immediate pressure on the authorities to demand reasons for their detention and release. The authorities could not give a clear answer and eventually allowed them into Cairo where they rejoined the bigger group,' said Soomar. She said after the issue at the airport, none of their delegates were detained again but most of them had their passports forcibly removed at various tollgates as they were leaving Cairo to travel to Ismailia, a city in north-eastern Egypt. 'We were travelling in small groups of two to four people via taxis and Ubers when they trapped us into a large group at the tollgates. We were stranded without our passports and they forced us into a group to make it seem as though we were gathering illegally. 'We were held at these points for up to six hours before our passports were returned. Some people from our delegation were violently thrown into buses and others peacefully complied. We were then dropped off at random points across the city. "Half of the delegates have since returned to South Africa, while the other half have flights booked to return to the country by the end of this week. They are all safe and all 22 of them will return home this week. They are able to return whenever they want but they are not there under duress." Soomar, who returned home to Johannesburg on Sunday, said she was not surprised by the treatment meted out in Cairo. 'I was prepared for this scenario and worse scenarios as the head of the delegation. It was stressful, of course, because I felt responsible for others. But I managed to remain level-headed and I kept emotion out of it. "I put the Palestinian people at the centre of every decision that we made as we were purely there for them. We had a great support team at home, who we were liaising with us 24/7; such as lawyers, coordinators, and media liaisons." Hasina Kathrada, an activist and journalist from Johannesburg, also returned home on Sunday. She said she left for Egypt on June 11 and faced challenges at the final checkpoint. 'My passport was taken at Kamphasheer tollgate, an hour away from Cairo. We were heading to Arish, from where we were going to walk to Rafah. There were 3 checkpoints. My passport was held at the third checkpoint along with about 250 other activists from around the world. 'Through it all, there was great camaraderie among activists. We shared food and water and supported each other during the six hours that we were together. The march to Rafah may have been stopped but the solidarity continues. The people of Gaza know they are not alone. The world has not forgotten them,' said Kathrada. In a video that has been circulating on social media, Mandela explained with a large crowd behind him facing the same issue, that he was being detained. 'We are about an hour out of Cairo and our passports have been confiscated. We are held here at one of the checkpoints without being permitted to proceed,' said Mandela on Saturday. Mandela, in another video highlighted the issues he and other activists faced while trying to get through Egypt. 'Those who managed to come into Cairo, such as myself, had no problems entering Egypt and coming through the airport but we have had immense challenges with going through each and every tollgate. We have been subjected, just like how Palestinians are in the Westbanks in checkpoints, where they have to produce their identity documents. We have been subjected to that in the second checkpoint that we are in. Our passports were taken away and we were held here for over six hours."
IOL News
17-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
SA delegates detail horror experience during Global March to Gaza
The GMTG, was part of a global solidarity movement where on June 13, 2025, thousands of citizens from over 50 countries mobilised in a peaceful, civic-led demonstration to 'demand justice, humanity, and an end to the ongoing genocide in Gaza'. Image: Jimi Matthews/Facebook SOUTH Africans taking part in the Global March to Gaza (GMTG) have recounted stories of intimidation including detention, and roadblocks by Egyptian authorities in their quest to highlight the plight of Palestinians. Some of them started arriving on Monday with others expected on Tuesday. The GMTG, a global solidarity movement where on Friday, thousands of citizens from over 50 countries mobilised in a peaceful, civic-led demonstration to 'demand justice, humanity, and an end to the ongoing genocide in Gaza'. However, several South African delegates were among those who claimed they were intimidated and had their passports confiscated by Egyptian authorities at various checkpoints during their journey. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. 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Next Stay Close ✕ In a social media post over the weekend, former member of Parliament, and Nelson Mandela's grandson, Mandla Mandela, who was among the SA delegation in attendance, explained that they were not allowed to proceed and were held for over six hours. In an interview on Monday, head of SA delegation, Basheerah Soomar, said about 50 South Africans were part of the GMTC, and that their experience in Egypt had been an 'unwelcoming one, as some had already found themselves being detained upon arrival at the airport'. 'They tried to detain as many people coming in, but they couldn't prove why.' Sommar said that as soon as the embassy opened, she spoke to the secretaries and the ambassador, so that they would be aware that people were coming. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation spokesperson, Chrispin Phiri, said: 'Our embassy advised South African march participants that the area (near the crossing) was restricted and queried whether they had confirmation of authorisation from the authorities. 'This was not clear to the embassy during the initial engagements, and the participation proceeded.' Phiri confirmed that full consular services were being rendered to citizens who came to Egypt. Soomar said people were questioned at their hotels. 'Searching our phones and explicitly asking if we're joining the march. There was leaked info about which countries were staying where. They didn't take any South Africans into detention because they didn't have any evidence. We all prepared for that and cleared all our phones.' Soomar said they also suspected being placed under surveillance. 'Every time we exited the hotel, we saw police. A lot of us were followed by people in plain clothing, but we knew that they were intelligence.' Soomar claimed that passports had been confiscated. She said the experience has been frustrating, but 'none of us have had time to process our emotions, as we're still in fight and flight mode'. Despite the challenges, she said that the goal is to keep the focus on what is happening in Palestine. 'We just have to keep pushing like the Palestinians have been pushing for over a hundred years. We can't let it dishearten use the lessons to mobilise again.' Cape Times
IOL News
16-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
'Global March to Gaza': SA delegate head shares details of alleged harassment in Egypt
The GMTG, was part of a global solidarity movement where on June 13, 2025, thousands of citizens from over 50 countries mobilised in a peaceful, civic-led demonstration to 'demand justice, humanity, and an end to the ongoing genocide in Gaza'. Image: Jimi Matthews/Facebook Many South African delegates who formed part of the Global March to Gaza (GMTG), have returned home, with several others still arriving Monday evening and Tuesday, claiming they faced intimidation, detention, and roadblocks by Egyptian authorities. The GMTG, was part of a global solidarity movement where on Friday, thousands of citizens from over 50 countries mobilised in a peaceful, civic-led demonstration to 'demand justice, humanity, and an end to the ongoing genocide in Gaza'. However, several South African delegates were among those who claimed they were intimidated and had their passports confiscated by Egyptian authorities at various checkpoints during their journey. In a social media post over the weekend, former member of Parliament, and Nelson Mandela's grandson, Mandla Mandela, who was among the SA delegation in attendance, explained that they were not allowed to proceed and were held for over six hours. Head of SA delegation, Basheerah Soomar, said in an interview on Monday that roughly 50 South Africans were part of their GMTC, and that their experience in Egypt had been an 'unwelcoming one, as some had already found themselves being detained upon arrival at the airport'. 'They tried to detain as many people coming in, but they couldn't prove why.' Sommar said that as soon as the embassy opened, she spoke to the secretaries and the ambassador, so that they would be aware that people were coming. The International Relations Department's spokesperson, Chrispin Phiri, said: 'Our embassy advised South African march participants that the area (near the crossing) was restricted and queried whether they had confirmation of authorisation from the authorities. 'This was not clear to the embassy during the initial engagements, and the participation proceeded.' Phiri confirmed that full consular services were being rendered to citizens who came to Egypt. Soomar said people were questioned at their hotels. 'Searching our phones and explicitly asking if we're joining the march. So that obviously, there was leaked info about which countries were staying where. They didn't take any South Africans into detention because they didn't have any evidence. We all prepared for that and cleared all our phones.' Soomar said claimed were followed by Egyptian forces. 'We couldn't go ahead with the plan of getting fetched by buses because we knew we were being surveilled. Every time we exited the hotel, we saw police. A lot of us were followed by people in plain clothing, but we knew that they were intelligence.' Soomar claimed that passports had been confiscated. "There were three checkpoints along the route where we all got stopped. Some people made it to the third gate - those who had left earlier - and they ended up blocking 300 people there. 'I ended up at the second checkpoint, the same one that Mandla Mandela was at. That's where most of us got stopped.' "Some people did try to not hand over their passports, but when people started saying no, they actually started getting aggressive'. 'They kept us there for like five or six hours, and we didn't have access to water or food.' Thereafter, after more police forces arrived, an official told them they would not receive a permit for their march. 'There was no negotiation. It was very clear that it was a no. That was the first time we received an answer in two months. And then they were like, you have an ultimatum.' She said people were put onto buses where they were driven around and dropped off at various spots in Cairo. 'We obviously didn't stay at the same hotel because we... were still clearly being surveilled. 'We're just encouraging our people to leave as soon as possible because as a global committee, we decided that no further activity will take place in Cairo… All South Africans are accounted for. So, we don't have anyone missing. But we're just trying to get everyone home safe as soon as possible.'
