PROTEST: SA mense supporting Palestine
Image: File Picture: Ayanda Ndamane / Independent Newspapers
THE South African government has been accused of working with Hamas ahead of the 7 October 2023 attack on Israel.
Justin Lewis, a representative of the UK-based judicial rights group Casisa, has written to Leo Brent Bozell III, the US Ambassador nominated to South Africa, calling for sanctions against the country.
In a letter dated March 27, 2025, and seen by IOL, Lewis claims SA's legal actions against Israel at the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) are part of a broader Hamas strategy.
The tensions stem from South Africa's December 2023 claims that Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians following an attack by Hamas in October 2023, in which 1 200 people were killed and 251 hostages were taken, including Americans.
In retaliation, Israel launched military operations in Gaza, which have reportedly led to over 50,000 Palestinian deaths, including many children.
Lewis alleged that evidence exists demonstrating that the South African government was aware of Hamas' planned attacks before their occurrence in October 2023.
He states: “As part of a political strategy, preparations were made before the October 7 atrocity against Israel to set mechanisms in place for approaching the ICC and ICJ for protection from Israel's anticipated response.”
He added: “No American president can allow a pre-arranged attack plan to kill its citizens to go unpunished.”
In response to queries from IOL, Chrispin Phiri, spokesperson for the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, dismissed Lewis' allegations as unverified and baseless.
Phiri raised concerns about Lewis’s credibility, noting his involvement in an investigation into a purported $2 trillion-a-year money-laundering operation linked to South African banks.