Humanitarian work not a crime

THE safe return of Mandla Mandela and his fellow South African activists from Israeli detention has brought immense relief to their families and supporters.

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Yet their ordeal demands far more than quiet celebration. It calls for accountability and clarity on how humanitarian workers came to be detained while engaging in a peace-driven mission.

Their safe return, however, cannot be the end of the story. It must mark the start of a serious conversation about how humanitarian work in conflict zones is being criminalised and what protection South African citizens can expect when acting in good faith abroad.