South African Minister flags threats over Palestinian support
Cape Town, South Africa (PANA) – South Africa's International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor’s security detail has been beefed up following threats against her and her family.
This is after South Africa’s high-profile approach to the International Court of Justice at The Hague on the Israeli-Palestinian crisis. Pretoria is seeking several orders, including for Israel to immediately suspend its Gaza offensive.
In its judgment two weeks ago, the court ordered Israel to take “all measures within its power” to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza.
Following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address in Cape Town on Thursday night, Pandor said she believes the threats are related to the case.
“I spoke to (Police) Minister Bheki Cele because of the various messages I was getting, and I felt it would be better if we had extra security. What I am more concerned about is my family because in some of the social media messages, my children are mentioned and so on,” she said.
The Minister noted that Palestine supported South Africa’s liberation struggle, “so we can’t stand back now”.
-0- PANA CU/MA 9Feb2024
