Kenyan journalist James Murua has spoken out after his wife, a South African activist, was captured by Israeli forces when a humanitarian flotilla bound for Gaza was intercepted earlier this week.
Speaking in an interview on October 3 with Arise News, Murua shared his fears as the whereabouts and condition of his wife, Zukiswa Wanner, remain unknown.
The activist, popularly known as “Zuks,” has been a lifelong advocate for Palestinian rights, shaped by her roots as the daughter of African National Congress (ANC) exiles.
Her political consciousness was heavily influenced by the historic partnership between the ANC and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), forming a decades-long commitment to the Palestinian cause.
The activist joined a flotilla carrying humanitarian aid—medicine, food, and supplies—bound for Gaza. The group has been out of contact since Israeli forces intercepted the boats earlier this week.
Israeli officials have provided limited information, referring to the intercepted vessels as “yachts,” a term Murua strongly criticized as a misrepresentation of the mission.
James Murua Breaks Silence After Wife Was Captured
According to him, the boats carried essential humanitarian aid, including food and medicine, for the people of Gaza.
“They’re calling the flotilla boats ‘yachts’—as if these people were just cruising. That’s far from the truth. These people are carrying medicine. They are carrying food.”
On October 1, Israeli forces took control of the Marinette, the final vessel headed towards Gaza as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF).
After the flotilla, made up of at least 44 civilian boats carrying some 500 activists, was first intercepted, the volunteers were detained and taken to Israel.
Israel vowed to stop the flotilla, claiming the volunteers were trying to “breach a lawful naval blockade”, but organisers say international law is clear that humanitarian aid should be let through.
Murua expressed deep concern for his wife’s safety, referencing the deadly 2010 Gaza flotilla raid in which nine activists were killed.
That incident, he says, continues to haunt him, especially now that there has been no communication from the passengers since the Israeli military intercepted the flotilla.
“I do [fear for her life]. There was a flotilla in 2010 where nine activists lost their lives. That history haunts me,” he said.
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Other Captured
Among the passengers believed to be aboard are several prominent figures, including climate activist Greta Thunberg and Nkosi Zwelivelile, grandson of Nelson Mandela.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has since issued a statement calling for the release of South African nationals, a move Murua welcomes, though he remains focused on amplifying the wider humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Murua called for sustained international attention not only on the flotilla’s passengers but on the broader injustice facing Palestinians.
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Who is Zukiswa?
Zukiswa Wanner (born 1976) is a South African journalist, novelist, and editor born in Zambia and now based in Kenya.
Since 2006, when she published her first book, her novels have been shortlisted for awards including the South African Literary Awards (SALA) and the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize.
Currently, she resides in Kenya with her husband, James Murua.
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