SA seeks release of Mandla Mandela as medical body cuts ties with Israel

WHILE the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) is said to be working behind closed doors to secure the release of Mandla Mandela and four other South African captives held hostage by Israeli forces, the Healthcare Workers 4 Palestine South Africa (HCW4P-SA) has welcomed the South African Medical Association's (SAMA) decision to suspend its relations with the Israeli Medical Association (IMA).

- SIYABONGA SITHOLE

This comes after President Cyril Ramaphosa has demanded the “immediate and unconditional” release of Mandla Mandela, the grandson of Nelson Mandela, after Israeli forces reportedly detained him and four other South Africans during a recent humanitarian flotilla mission to Gaza.

Just as the South African government was holding talks with the Israeli government in a bid to secure the release of the five South Africans, including Carolyn Shelver, Dr Zaheera Soomar, Reaaz Moola, and Dr Fatima Hendricks, HW4P South Africa welcomed the hard-line taken by SAMA.