Kenyan journalist and blogger James Murua has made an emotional plea to the Kenyan government and the African Union (AU) to intervene after his wife, South African author Zukiswa Wanner, was reportedly abducted by Israeli forces.
Wanner was part of a South African aid delegation that traveled to Gaza to deliver food and medicine. Her alleged abduction on Thursday, October 2, occurred when the Israeli military intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla, a humanitarian convoy carrying aid to Gaza. Reports indicate that over 40 boats and 450 activists were seized, including Wanner.
In a statement, Murua expressed deep fear for his wife’s safety, saying Israel had shown “singular cruelty” toward those standing in the way of its Gaza operations. He urged authorities in Nairobi and Addis Ababa to act swiftly before the situation worsens.
Murua Appeals to Kenya and the African Union After Zukiswa Wanner Abducted
Murua’s appeal paints a painful picture of helplessness and urgency. “In any other situation, I wouldn’t be worried about the safety of my partner, but the Israelis have shown singular cruelty to anyone who stands in the way of their mission to eradicate Palestinians from the face of the earth,” he said.
He continued, “I appeal directly to the government of Kenya, where she has been resident for the last fourteen years, and the African Union, to do everything in its power to get her and others who have been kidnapped by the Israeli regime.”
The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) is a peaceful maritime mission aimed at breaking Israel’s blockade on Gaza and delivering humanitarian aid. The operation involved volunteers and activists from several countries. Witnesses say the flotilla was intercepted in international waters, about 70 nautical miles from Gaza, sparking legal concerns over Israel’s actions under international law.
A video statement released online, believed to be pre-recorded by Wanner, confirms her fears. “My name is Zukiswa Wanner. I am a South African citizen. If you are watching this, it means that I have been kidnapped by the Israeli Occupying Forces and taken to Israel. Please tell the South African government to get me released.”
Despite mounting global concern, Israel has not released an official statement. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has demanded the immediate release of South Africans reportedly held in international waters.
Who Is Zukiswa Wanner?
Zukiswa Wanner, born in Lusaka, Zambia, in 1976, is one of Africa’s most celebrated writers. Her novels, including The Madams, Men of the South, and London Cape Town Joburg, have earned her global acclaim.
Wanner has long championed social justice, gender equality, and freedom of expression. In 2024, she returned the Goethe Medal to protest what she described as Germany’s silence over the atrocities in Gaza. Her activism often draws comparisons between South Africa’s apartheid and the Palestinian struggle, particularly regarding checkpoints and restricted movement.
In recognition of her courage and activism, she received the South African Secular Society’s Secularist of the Year Award in 2024.
Those close to Wanner describe her as bold and principled—someone unafraid to speak truth to power. Her abduction has therefore hit both the literary and activist communities hard, with many calling on African leaders to show solidarity and demand her freedom.
Understanding the Israel Gaza Conflict
The Israel-Gaza conflict is one of the world’s longest and bloodiest disputes. It revolves around control of Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza, territories claimed by both Israelis and Palestinians.
The violence escalated in October 2023 when Hamas, an Islamist group designated as a terrorist organization by the United States and European Union, launched a surprise attack on southern Israel, killing over 1,200 people and taking hostages. Israel responded with intense airstrikes and a ground invasion of Gaza, citing self-defense.
Since then, Gaza has been reduced to rubble. The war has killed tens of thousands of civilians and displaced millions. Hospitals, schools, and homes have been destroyed, while food, medicine, and fuel remain scarce.
The Global Sumud Flotilla, in which Wanner participated, sought to deliver relief supplies to those trapped under the blockade. Its interception has reignited questions about Israel’s use of force and the silence of African governments over violations of international law.
A Test for African Leadership
Murua’s petition is more than a personal plea—it is a test of African unity and moral leadership. His wife’s case exposes the continent’s limited voice in global conflicts and the weakness of African diplomacy when citizens face danger abroad.
For Murua, the fight is now personal. His words echo the frustration of many Africans who believe their governments remain silent when citizens are wronged on foreign soil.
“Zukiswa stood for justice and humanity,” a family friend said. “Now it’s time for Africa to stand for her.”
Until Zukiswa Wanner is released, Murua’s campaign for her freedom is expected to intensify, drawing the world’s attention to both her plight and Africa’s response to international injustice.
