SA court to probe citizens serving in IDF

Activists are challenging the South African government to hold them accountable

- ZELDA VENTER

ALLEGATIONS that South African soldiers are unlawfully serving in the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) in the armed conflict in the Gaza Strip are due to come under the juristic spotlight in the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria.

The Applicants, Safoudien Bester, a Palestinian Solidarity Activist, and Ziyaad Ebrahim Patel, a South African attorney and human rights defender, turned to court in a bid to obtain several orders to hold South Africa accountable to its international and other obligations.

Several arms of government, as well as the National Director of Public Prosecution, the Department of Home Affairs and the police are cited among the 10 respondents.

The matter filed before the court contains allegations that South African nationals and citizens have been unlawfully serving in the IDF. The case stems from a series of criminal complaints filed against South African nationals/citizens who are alleged to have joined and militarily served in the IDF. The applicants contend that such military service is unlawful under South African law and undermines both domestic security and South Africa's credibility as a champion of international justice.