IR Committee Chair Supports the Minister of Justice’s Response to the Unauthorised Letter by Departmental Official

The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Supra Mahumapelo, supports the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Ms Mmamoloko Kubayi’s instruction for the withdrawal of the unauthorised letter issued by the departmental official which led to a Sherriff to serve the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Ms Francesca Albanese with court papers yesterday.

The department has established that the service of the process was effected without the knowledge or approval of either the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development or the Director-General, who serves as the Head of the Central Authority, as is required by Section 40(2) of the Superior Courts Act, 2013 (Act 10 of 2013).

Mr Mahumapelo further supports the instruction of the Minister for the withdrawal of the irregular service of the process and the Minister’s instruction for an internal consequence management. “We appreciate the reaffirmation of the department’s commitment to upholding the rule of law, respect for international law, and South Africa’s diplomatic and international obligations,” emphasised Mr Mahumapelo.

Mr Mahumapelo said that it is regrettable that neither the Director General nor the Minister gave effect to the request for service of the process, which was a request purportedly made by the Christian Friends of Israeli Communities, Christians for Israel, USA.

Per Kind Favour of APO

Africa Fact: Winwood Reade described his visit to the Ashanti Royal Palace of Kumasi in 1874: “We went to the king’s palace, which
consists of many courtyards, each surrounded with alcoves and verandahs, and having two gates or doors, so that each yard was a thoroughfare . . . But the part of the palace fronting the street was a stone house, Moorish in its style . . . with a flat roof and a parapet, and suites of apartments on the first floor. It was built by Fanti masons many years ago. The rooms upstairs remind me of Wardour Street. Each was a perfect Old Curiosity Shop. Books in many languages, Bohemian glass, clocks, silver plate, old furniture, Persian rugs, Kidderminster carpets, pictures and engravings, numberless chests and coffers. A sword bearing the inscription From Queen Victoria to the King of Ashantee. A copy of the Times, 17 October 1843. With these were many specimens of Moorish and Ashanti handicraft.”