Cape Union Mart accused of attempting to silence Palestinian rights activists

THE Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) has described Cape Union Mart’s court application against it as an attempt to gag activists engaged in peaceful protest.

- ROBIN-LEE FRANCKE

The international retailer has turned to the Western Cape High Court for an interdict restraining PSC from labelling them as supporting genocide, saying ongoing protests and boycott campaign at its stores have led to financial losses and reputational damage.

The application filed last week urges the five activists from the Palestine Solidarity Campaign to stop making claims that the retailer and its associated brands "fund genocide, killing children, or are complicit in the killing of children."

Respondents include Magmuda Ockards, Muhammad Shafiq Gamiet, Mohamed Zaid Jeenah, Sherazaad Rahima Sylvester, and Sayed Ridhwaan Mohamed.

The sixth respondent is unidentified protesters, and the seventh respondent is the PSC.

In response to IOL's inquiry, Cape Union Mart's legal advisor, Simone Sulcas said the application was brought as a last resort after previous efforts to communicate the correct facts to protesters failed.