Justice Minister Kubayi orders internal probe into attempt to serve UN's Albanese with court papers

Minister of Justice Mmamoloko Kubayi has ordered a process of internal consequence management after United Nations Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese was almost served with court papers at the Nelson Mandela Lecture over the weekend.

A sheriff is believed to have approached Albanese with papers after she addressed delegates at the annual lecture at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg on Saturday.

The Nelson Mandela Foundation has since confirmed that it was the "Christian Friends of Israeli Communities" and "Christians for Israel USA" that wanted Albanese served for alleged defamation.

In her role as special rapporteur, Albanese investigates and reports on human rights violations in the occupied Palestinian territories, including Gaza and the West Bank.

Kubayi said the attempt to serve Albanese did not comply with the required legal prescripts.

Kubayi’s spokesperson, Terrence Manase, said the matter was being dealt with internally.

"Neither the director-general nor the minister gave effect to the above request for service of the process. The minister has instructed that this irregular service of process be withdrawn and extends an unconditional apology to Ms Albanese, to the Nelson Mandela Foundation and the United Nations (UN)."