The African National Congress (ANC) and the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development have slammed the “unauthorised” court papers served on UN special rapporteur and human rights activist Francesca Albanesed.

Albanese, who is also a victim of US sanctions, was ambushed while delivering her keynote address at the 23rd annual Nelson Mandela Lecture on her latest report titled “From the Economy of Occupation to the Economy of Genocide,” at Sandton Convention Centre on Saturday.

Reports have indicated that a South African sheriff served Albanese with court papers at the lecture event, with the papers linked to a US lawsuit by pro-Israeli groups.

The world body’s Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories is a fierce critic of the Israeli government.

On Sunday, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, reacted to the incident, saying prompt action should be taken to rectify the matter.

 This “unauthorised” act has prompted condemnation and an apology from the minister.

According to media reports, Saturday’s incident is linked to the lawsuit by pro-Israel groups – Christian Friends of Israeli Communities. Kubayi’s spokesperson Terrance Manase said she has instructed that this irregular service be withdrawn.

“The first step is for this irregular service to be withdrawn. The second step revolves around consequence management and the minister has instructed the acting DG to do this. The Special Rapporteur, nothing will happen to them, given the instruction that the minister has given,” Manase said.

Manase indicated that  Kubayi has also assured Albanese that nothing will happen to her during her visit to South Africa.

On Sunday, Albanese also formed part of a discussion in Cape Town on Palestine and the ongoing crisis of international law.

Speaking at the lecture, which she delivered in Johannesburg on Saturday, Albanese said her personal issues are nothing compared to the daily suffering of the Palestinian people.

“I really beg you to understand that for the past two years, I have taken on and made enormous sacrifices, personal sacrifices, to keep me, my personal issues, my personal drama aside – and I’m here to speak about Palestine. I’m here as a Special Rapporteur of the United Nations on the Occupied Palestinian Territories- and I would very much appreciate it if you ask me questions related to this, and on the rest, I have no comment,” she stated.

Reacting to the incident, ANC spokesperson, Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri, welcomed Kubayi’s firm and immediate intervention, saying the attempt was “irregular and unlawful”.

“The ANC commends the Minister for acting swiftly to withdraw the irregular process, issue a public apology to Ms Albanese, the Nelson Mandela Foundation, and the United Nations, and for instructing internal consequence management to ensure accountability within the Department. This decisive action reaffirms South Africa’s principled stance on international law, justice, and solidarity with the oppressed people of Palestine,” she said.

International relations expert Sphamandla Zondi said intimidation tactics were part of the fight in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine.

“This extremist government is willing to use terrorism to achieve its aim, not just against Palestinians but against all who support justice and peaceful resolution of this man-made crisis. Francesca Albanese is not the only one to be at the receiving end of these extremists,” he said.

siyabonga.sithole@inl.co.za

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