Naledi Pandor contniues to receive threats, 'they never stopped'
In February 2024, in the midst of South Africa's case against Israel at ICJ, Pandor's security was beefed up amid threats.
As Israel and Iran continue to trade blows, South Africa's former International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor and her family continue to receive threats.
An insider close to the family told The Citizen that the threats against Pandor and her family have not ceased since South Africa brought Israel before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for genocide committed against Palestinians in Gaza.
'Threats'
'No, they never stopped. The threats are ongoing and you shouldn't get to close [to us] because you become a target,' the insider told The Citizen at a function in Gauteng.
The insider did not want to disclose more information, fearing that the threats would escalate.
'We don't want our security compromised.'
Friends of Naledi Pandor were all eliminated by Israel last night. pic.twitter.com/oJxkijbZG6
June 13, 2025
ICJ case
In February 2024, in the midst of South Africa's case against Israel at the ICJ, Pandor's security was beefed up amid threats against her and her family.
South Africa approached the World Court seeking several orders, including for Israel to immediately suspend its Gaza offensive; to stop forced displacement; to enable humanitarian access to thousands of displaced Palestinians; and to preserve evidence.
In its judgment, the ICJ ordered Israel to take 'all measures within its power' to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza.
ALSO READ: Israeli forces seize Gaza-bound Madleen with aid and Greta Thunberg [VIDEO]
Security beefed up
Following President Cyril Ramaphosa's State of the Nation Address (Sona) on 8 February 2024, Pandor told journalists that she believed the threats were related to the ICJ case.
The minister did not disclose who the threats were from, but confirmed that then-Police Minister Bheki Cele had to strengthen her security detail.
'I spoke to Minister Cele because of the various messages I was getting, and I felt it would be better if we had extra security. What I am more concerned about is my family because in some of the social media messages, my children are mentioned and so on.'
Gaza
Pandor said, despite the personal cost of taking on Israel, South Africa will see the ICJ matter through.
'This is part of the course, the Israeli agents' intelligence services are how they behave, and they seek to intimidate you. So, we must not be intimidated; there is a course that is underway. The people of the world and of Palestine didn't draw back when the apartheid state was at its worst.
'They stood with the liberation movement, so we can't stand back now, we must be with them, and I think one of the things we must not allow is a failure of courage. It's extremely important we continue with this, we talk to the South African people and they understand why it is that we have taken up this moral course,' Pandor said.
ALSO READ: SA calls for urgent probe after 32 Palestinians killed while waiting for food
Israel and Iran
Meanwhile, Pretoria has expressed profound concern regarding the attacks conducted by Israel on targets within Iran on Friday, including reported impacts on military areas, nuclear facilities, and civilian infrastructure.
'Reports of civilian casualties, alongside military personnel, are deeply troubling,' the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) spokesperson Chrispin Phiri said.
'These actions raise serious concerns under international law, including the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the protection of civilians enshrined in the UN Charter and international humanitarian law'.
Nuclear safety
Phiri added that South Africa has taken note with particular concern of the implications for nuclear safety and security arising from attacks in the vicinity of nuclear facilities.
'We recall the firm stance of the IAEA General Conference, reflected in resolutions such as GC(XXIX)/RES/444 and GC(XXXIV)/RES/533, against armed attacks on peaceful nuclear installations as violations of the UN Charter and international law.
'South Africa extends its sincere condolences to the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the families of all victims,' Phiri said.
'Peaceful resolutions'
Phiri reiterated Pretoria's 'unwavering commitment' to the peaceful resolution of disputes.
'South Africa urges maximum restraint by all parties and calls for the urgent intensification of diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions and promote stability in the Middle East.
'We support ongoing bilateral discussions, such as those between the USA and Iran, and reaffirm the critical importance of establishing a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in the Middle East,' Phiri said.
In February this year, South Africa's Head of Public Diplomacy Clayson Monyela dismissed claims of any cooperation with Iran on nuclear energy.
The claims of nuclear cooperation between South Africa and Iran were levelled by US President Donald Trump's administration in an executive order on 7 February 2025.
ALSO READ: Israel accused of starving Gaza 'by design' — South Africa addresses ICJ
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
17 hours ago
- The Citizen
Six Israelis detained for attacking soldiers in West Bank: military
The Israeli military declined to say whether those arrested were residents of Israeli settlements in the territory. Israeli army forces deploy around the religious site of Joseph's Tomb in the occupied West Bank city of Nablus on June 27, 2025 after a group of Israelis entered the site without coordination with Palestinian security forces. (Photo by Jaafar ASHTIYEH / AFP) Six Israelis were detained for assaulting soldiers near a village in the occupied West Bank where deadly clashes with Palestinians erupted this week, the military said on Saturday. The fresh violence around the central West Bank village of Kafr Malik came after the Palestinian health ministry said three men died there in an attack by Israeli settlers on Wednesday. Soldiers went to disperse a gathering of Israelis near the village overnight, the military said in a statement. 'Dozens of Israeli civilians hurled stones toward them and physically and verbally assaulted the soldiers, including the Battalion Commander,' it said. 'In addition, the civilians vandalised and damaged security forces' vehicles, and attempted to ram the security forces,' it added. 'The security forces dispersed the gathering, and six Israeli civilians were apprehended and transferred to the Israel Police for further processing.' Contacted by AFP, the Israeli military declined to say whether those arrested were residents of Israeli settlements in the territory, occupied by Israel since 1967. The military referred the query to the Israeli police, which was not available to comment. 'I strongly condemn the serious incidents of violence and the attack on IDF soldiers,' Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz said in a statement. 'I call on the law enforcement authorities to act immediately to locate all those who resorted to violence and bring them to justice.' ALSO READ: Israel accused of starving Gaza 'by design' — South Africa addresses ICJ Israel, Palestine West Bank violence In a separate incident on Wednesday, the Palestinian health ministry said three men died in Kafr Malik in an attack by settlers. AFP journalists saw several hundred people gather for the three men's funerals on Thursday. The Palestinian foreign ministry alleged 'official complicity' by Israel in Wednesday's attack, in a message on X. 'Israeli occupation forces prevented ambulance crews from reaching the wounded and obstructed civil defence teams from entering the village for several hours, allowing fires ignited by the settlers to spread and destroy dozens of homes,' it said. The Israeli military did not respond to a request by AFP to comment on those claims. A military spokesman told AFP its forces intervened on Wednesday after 'dozens of Israeli civilians set fire to property in Kafr Malik' and a 'confrontation' involving 'mutual rock-hurling' broke out between Israelis and Palestinians. Referring to action by the Palestinians, the spokesman said: 'Several terrorists fired from within Kafr Malik and hurled rocks at the forces, who opened fire toward the source of fire and the rock-hurlers.' ALSO READ: Israel can't break laws and then cry foul Israelis arrested Five Israelis were arrested, the military added. Left-leaning Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that the five were released on Thursday. Police did not comment. Israeli settlements in the West Bank are considered illegal under international law. Their growth has accelerated since Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returned to office in 2022 in an alliance with far-right parties who wish to annexe the territory outright. Countries including Britain and France and several human rights groups have condemned settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. Violence has surged in the West Bank since Israel launched its offensive in Gaza in response to the October 7, 2023 attack by Palestinian militant group Hamas on Israel. The Palestinian Authority says Israeli troops or settlers have killed 945 Palestinians, many of them militants but also scores of civilians, since the start of the Gaza war, according to Palestinian health ministry figures. Israel says 34 of its soldiers and civilians have been killed in Palestinian attacks or during Israeli military raids since that date. NOW READ: Israeli forces seize Gaza-bound Madleen with aid and Greta Thunberg [VIDEO]
The South African
20 hours ago
- The South African
Malema pledges EFF support for Mthatha flood victims
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has vowed to support communities affected by recent floods in Mthatha and criticised government delays in responding to the crisis. Speaking during a visit to the flood-hit region on Saturday, 28 June, Malema said government officials were slow to act, despite the floods claiming lives and destroying infrastructure. 'After more than 100 people died, the army only came after the fence,' Malema said. 'If there's a disaster, it means there's an emergency. We can't keep calling meetings. We must meet people on the ground and help.' Malema condemned authorities for holding meetings instead of providing immediate aid and promised that the EFF would help families bury their loved ones with dignity. Malema said the EFF would assist bereaved families whose loved ones died in the floods. According to The Citizen , he also promised to confront any traditional, municipal or police who interfered with burial rights. 'No one should be refused a burial,' he said. 'We will make sure everyone who needs to be buried is buried.' He also raised concerns over families, especially those with young children, who had been denied access to temporary shelters, and some even turned away from churches. 'We cannot have children sleeping under trees,' Malema said. 'Let's find them a wall, a church or a school. Let's go back and plead with the church to accommodate these people while we work on urgent solutions.' Malema urged affluent South Africans, especially Black business leaders and major foundations, to help communities affected by the floods. 'Where is the Motsepe Foundation when parents are asking for clothes for children?' he asked. He contrasted the lack of support in Mthatha with relief efforts in wealthy areas like Cape Town. 'In Cape Town, when there was a disaster, companies sent food, clothes, everything. Why not here?' The EFF leader stressed that victims need more than just basic relief. 'The disaster washed away the clothes, furniture and belongings of our people. Let's help them rebuild their lives.' He added that women especially need sanitary pads, toiletries and clothing. Malema praised the women leading local relief centres, calling them strong leaders who must continue to speak truthfully about their communities' needs. 'Don't lie to receive food. Speak the truth. Sponsors who want lies are not welcome,' he said. He urged communities to maintain honesty and transparency: 'Where there are issues, please speak to us.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
Eyewitness News
a day ago
- Eyewitness News
Trump hopeful for Gaza ceasefire, possibly 'next week'
WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump voiced optimism Friday about a new ceasefire in Gaza, as criticism grew over mounting civilian deaths at Israeli-backed food distribution centres in the territory. Asked by reporters how close a ceasefire was between Israel and Hamas, Trump said: "We think within the next week, we're going to get a ceasefire." The United States brokered a ceasefire in the devastating conflict in the waning days of former president Joe Biden's administration, with support from Trump's incoming team. Israel broke the ceasefire in March, launching new devastating attacks on Hamas, which attacked Israel on October 7, 2023. Israel also stopped all food and other supplies from entering Gaza for more than two months, drawing warnings of famine. Israel has since allowed a resumption of food through the controversial US- and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which involves US security contractors with Israeli troops at the periphery. United Nations officials on Friday said the GHF system was leading to mass killings of people seeking aid, drawing accusations from Israel that the UN was "aligning itself with Hamas." Eyewitnesses and local officials have reported repeated killings of Palestinians at distribution centres over recent weeks in the war-stricken territory, where Israeli forces are battling Hamas militants. The Israeli military has denied targeting people, and GHF has denied any deadly incidents were linked to its sites. But following weeks of reports, UN officials and other aid providers on Friday denounced what they said was a wave of killings of hungry people seeking aid. "The new aid distribution system has become a killing field," with people "shot at while trying to access food for themselves and their families," said Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN agency for Palestinian affairs (UNWRA). "This abomination must end through a return to humanitarian deliveries from the UN, including @UNRWA," he wrote on X. The health ministry in the Hamas-controlled territory says that since late May, more than 500 people have been killed near aid centres while seeking scarce supplies. The country's civil defence agency has also repeatedly reported people being killed while seeking aid. "People are being killed simply trying to feed themselves and their families," said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. "The search for food must never be a death sentence." Medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) branded the GHF relief effort "slaughter masquerading as humanitarian aid." ISRAEL DENIES TARGETING CIVILIANS That drew an angry response from Israel, which said GHF had provided 46 million meals in Gaza. "The UN is doing everything it can to oppose this effort. In doing so, the UN is aligning itself with Hamas, which is also trying to sabotage the GHF's humanitarian operations," the foreign ministry said. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected a report in left-leaning daily Haaretz that military commanders had ordered troops to shoot at crowds near aid distribution sites to disperse them even when they posed no threat. Haaretz said the military advocate general, the army's top legal authority, had instructed the military to investigate "suspected war crimes" at aid sites. The Israeli military declined to comment to AFP on the claim. Netanyahu said in a joint statement with Defence Minister Israel Katz that their country "absolutely rejects the contemptible blood libels" and "malicious falsehoods" in the Haaretz article. CIVIL DEFENCE SAYS 80 KILLED Gaza's civil defence agency told AFP 80 Palestinians had been killed on Friday by Israeli strikes or fire across the Palestinian territory, including 10 who were waiting for aid. The Israeli military told AFP it was looking into the incidents, and denied its troops fired in one of the locations in central Gaza where rescuers said one aid seeker was killed. Civil defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal told AFP six people were killed in southern Gaza near one of the distribution sites operated by GHF, and one more in a separate incident in the centre of the territory, where the army denied shooting "at all." Another three people were killed by a strike while waiting for aid southwest of Gaza City, Bassal said. Elsewhere, eight people were killed "after an Israeli air strike hit Osama Bin Zaid School, which was housing displaced persons" in northern Gaza. MILITANTS ATTACK ISRAELI FORCES Meanwhile, Hamas's armed wing, the Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades, said they shelled an Israeli vehicle east of Khan Yunis in southern Gaza on Friday. The Al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas-ally Palestinian Islamic Jihad, said they attacked Israeli soldiers in at least two other locations near Khan Yunis in coordination with the Al-Qassam Brigades. Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack on Israel that sparked the Gaza war resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. Israel's retaliatory military campaign has killed at least 56,331 people, also mostly civilians, according to Gaza's health ministry. The United Nations considers its figures reliable.
