South African civil engineer Matthew Gruter arrived at OR Tambo International Airport on 4 December 2025 following his deportation from Australia. Authorities cancelled his visa due to his participation in a neo-Nazi protest outside the New South Wales Parliament. Gruter, who immigrated to Sydney in 2022, travelled back with his wife and their one-month-old baby. The incident is significant in light of Matthew Gruter deported events that have captured public attention.

Upon landing, Gruter tried to hide his face using luggage but grew agitated when media approached him. Viral footage captured Matthew Gruter deported in a heated exchange with a photographer, nearly leading to a physical confrontation.

He questioned the media's intentions, asking, "Are you trying to get us attacked and murdered in South Africa? Is that what you are trying to do, trying to label us?"

Gruter claimed unfair treatment, stating he was detained for six hours and had his visa revoked by the minister for merely standing at the protest. "I just stood there over some nonsense. What do you think, do you think it's fair?" he said about the incident of Matthew Gruter deported.

Background on the Protest and Deportation

The demonstration involved around 60 members of a group identifying as "White Australia, formerly the National Socialist Network." Participants dressed in black, formed lines on the street, and held a banner reading "Abolish the Jewish Lobby." Reports accused them of chanting slogans linked to the Hitler Youth.

Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke justified the visa cancellation, emphasising the distinction between guests and citizens, following the deportation incident involving Matthew Gruter.

"If you are on a visa, you are a guest; if you're a citizen, you're a full member of the Australian family. Like with any household, if a guest turns up to show hatred and wreck the household, they can be told it's time to go home," Burke said.

The incident has raised questions about free speech limits for visa holders and the handling of extremism in immigration policies. Gruter's case highlights how countries address hate speech from foreign nationals.