GOV’T APOLOGISES FOR SERVING COURT PAPERS ON ALBANESE

South Africa’s government has apologised for an irregular attempt to serve court papers on a United Nations official. The incident involved Francesca Albanese, the UN’s Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi ordered the immediate withdrawal of the papers.

Albanese was in South Africa to deliver the 23rd Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture at the Sandton Convention Centre on Saturday when a sheriff approached her with court documents. This happened just before she was scheduled to speak. The legal action was initiated by a pro-Israeli lobby group, Christian Friends of Israeli Communities.

The Department of Justice confirmed the action was unauthorised. Neither Minister Kubayi nor the Director-General knew about it. This makes the service of the papers irregular and unlawful as South African law requires the Director-General and Minister to approve such actions.

Internal investigation launched

The government has launched an internal probe into the matter. Minister Kubayi has instructed the Acting Director-General to begin a consequence management process. She promised to deal with the matter fully upon her return from Vietnam.

The department extended an unconditional apology to Albanese, the Nelson Mandela Foundation, and the United Nations.

During her lecture, Albanese praised South Africa. She commended its case against Israel at the International Court of Justice. She said the action had “rekindled faith in international law”.