Pandor shocked by Germany's legal action against SA commentator over Gaza stance

CAPE TOWN - International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor has described Germany serving a South African social commentator with a summons over her stance on the Middle East conflict as shocking. 

Pandor, speaking to Eyewitness News on Thursday night, said she was aware that Malaika Mahlatsi had been served with an indictment for allegedly rewarding and awarding a crime. 

Mahlatsi been a vocal supporter of government’s approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, penning in some of her op-eds and on her social media pages her position on Israel. 

South Africa is accusing Israel of genocide before the International Criminal Court of Justice. 

Minister Pandor’s views on Germany serving a South African social commentator with a summons over what is believed to be her support of the people of Gaza is unequivocal.  

"To be frank, from an established democracy, I find it to be quite shocking but we know Germany’s view - they wrote to us indicating their displeasure at us going to the ICJ and that they would be supporting Israel."

Germany has indicated that it would intervene on behalf of Israel at the ICJ. 

Eyewitness News previously reported that the order issued to Mahlatsi said she must appear in a German court this coming week, however, the social commentator and writer is currently in South Africa. 

The matter is likely to play itself out in the German courts in March.