ANC and Kubayi slam unauthorised court papers served on senior UN official

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 Albanese.

- SIYABONGA SITHOLE [e-mail]

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.

Yesterday, 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.