PRESS STATEMENT: Africa4Palestine accepts apology by South Africa’s top judge Mogoeng Mogoeng

03 February 2022 

The human rights orgnaization #Africa4Palestine accepts the “forced by the law apology” made earlier today by South Africa’s top judge for his pro-Israel remarks and violating the Judicial Services Commission’s (JSC) Code of Judicial Conduct.

With just a few hours before the deadline given to him, the former Chief Justice, Mogoeng Mogoeng, issued an official apology which can be found here.

The apology comes following Mogoeng being ordered to do so by the JSC’s JCC after he failed in his appeal against a legal complaint that was laid by #Africa4Palestine, Women’s Cultural Group & others for pro-Israel comments made in 2020.

The apology is even more significant given that he was compelled. He was forced, kicking and screaming to the apology table. We see this as a victory over fanaticism and ego. We see this as a victory for the rule of law and an indication of the strength of our judiciary. It is a landmark apology which shows that even the Chief Justice is not above the law. It is a good day for the South African judiciary.

And, this is indeed a victory for Palestinian activists. The message is clear, South Africa and South Africans are in support of international law and human rights, and to suggest otherwise is incorrect.

#Africa4Palestine was represented by a legal team led by Advocate Ben Winks of the Johannesburg Bar, Advocate Sheldon Magardie of the Cape Town Bar, Attorney Yasin Bham and Senior Counsel Nazeer Cassim.

ISSUED BY TISTESO MAGAMA ON BEHALF OF AFRICA4PALESTINE