Elation and jubilation echoed through the corridors of the Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg, Ekurhuleni, on Friday where the African National Congress (ANC) is holding its three-day NEC.
ANC members broke out into song after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that there is a prima facie case of genocide against the people of Gaza, ordering Israel to take all measures within its power to prevent additional killing.
The ICJ also rejected Israel’s request to dismiss South Africa’s case against it.
ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula described the court’s ruling as a watershed moment.
He says South Africa supports the people of Palestine as they both share the same painful history of apartheid.
“The world will remember us that when we were facing apartheid, the world never forsaken us. The world was with us because we are free today, because the people of the world were with us in the fight against apartheid.”
“It was correct and it is still [be] correct for South Africa to stand on the side of justice against [acts] of injustice and the rest of humanity agrees with us. And today it is very important and a very watershed judgment in solidarity with the Palestinians,” adds Mbalula.
ANC NEC member Ronald Lamola, who spoke in his capacity as the Justice and Correctional Services Minister, says that South Africa presented a strong case at the Hague.
He says former president Nelson Mandela is smiling from the grave.
“Because I know that we had forensically presented a case in the court and I believe in the strength of our case in the court and I believe in the strength of our case. I am humbled and believe that Mandela will be smiling in his grave that we stood on his shoulders and did him very proud by staying on the issues that he would’ve advocated for himself. As you are aware the genocide convention was one of the conventions he advocated for,” explains Lamola.
The NEC adjourned early on Friday, as a result of the ICJ ruling and President Cyril Ramaphosa’s address to the nation.
The meeting will resume on Sunday due to a one-day adjournment, so that party members can attend the funeral of NEC member, Violet Siwela.
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