Nelson Mandela's grandson, Mandla, has been refused a visa to visit the United Kingdom (UK) by the British government for his alleged support of and for "glorifying" Hamas.
In a letter accompanying the refusal to grant the visa to Mandela, the Home Office said: "Your presence in the UK has been assessed as not conducive to the public good on the grounds that you have engaged in unacceptable behaviour.
"You have made multiple statements which explicitly support Hamas and their terrorist violence, including glorifying the 7 October attack on Israel and their recently deceased leader Ismail Haniyeh," the letter said.
Haniyeh was the Hamas political leader assassinated by Israeli forces in Beirut in July.
However, the former MP and chief of Royal House Mandela at Mvezo Komkhulu in the Eastern Cape was adamant that the decision would not deter him from supporting the freedom of the Palestinian people.
Mandela believed this was in keeping with the legacy of his grandfather, who was a vehement supporter of the Palestinian cause and a personal friend of the late Palestinian Liberation Organisation leader, Yasser Arafat.
Mandela applied for the visa on 8 October and the British Home Office replied in a letter dated 21 October refusing to grant it.
This story is from the October 28, 2024 edition of The Citizen.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October 28, 2024 edition of The Citizen.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Scotland may be too brave
Scotland's 57-17 hiding handed to Fiji on Saturday has got all the fans up north excited about their team's prospects against the Springboks in Edinburgh this Sunday.
RECORD CHASERS
BUCS: HISTORY BECKONS IF THEY BEAT RICHARDS BAY
Jordan happier in No 10 jersey
Springbok utility back Jordan Hendrikse (below) is happy to fit in with the national team wherever he is needed, although he would prefer to feature in his main position at flyhalf.
Black Caps are 'taking on the world'
Mumbai - New Zealand batsman Daryl Mitchell hailed his side as \"a bunch of Kiwis taking on the world\" after their historic 3-0 Test series triumph in India.
Chawane hails early progress
Team captain Khanyisa Chawane (above) is pleased with the early progress shown by the Proteas netball squad under new leadership.
'Insane' Max is nudging closer
BRAZIL: ONE OF THE GREATEST WET WEATHER DRIVES
Amorim is turning to red-hot striker Gyokeres
Lisbon - Sporting Lisbon coach Ruben Amorim is relying on red-hot striker Viktor Gyokeres (right) to land a blow on future rivals Manchester City, in his final Champions League match at the helm today.
Barca keep on soaring higher
Barcelona - Dani Olmo (above) scored twice on his first start back from injury as Barcelona beat local rivals Espanyol 3-1 on Sunday to move nine points clear at the top of La Liga.
A 'beautiful challenge'
ALONSO: FORMER LIVERPOOL STAR RETURNS TO ANFIELD WITH LEVERKUSEN
Mngqithi shrugs off 'favourites' tag
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi (right) has dismissed his side's \"favourites\" tag after knocking Kaizer Chiefs out of the Carling Knockout on Saturday.