Cape Town – International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola has dismissed claims that South Africa had prior knowledge of Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
The allegations were made in a letter by UK-based human rights representative Justin Lewis to the US ambassador-designate to South Africa, Leo Brent Bozell III, calling for sanctions against the country.
According to IOL, Lewis last week, Justin Lewis, a representative of the UK-based human rights group Casisa, addressed a letter to Leo Brent Bozell III, the U.S. Ambassador-designate to South Africa.
The Hamas attacks triggered Israeli retaliation in Gaza, resulting in over 50,000 Palestinian deaths and repeated ceasefire violations.
On his LinkedIn profile, Justin Lewis has posted two other almost identity letters in the past four months. These letters are replete with disinformation and wild unevidenced claims, and also a number of spelling and grammar errors that make them appear AI generated. pic.twitter.com/5FzDi4lrZE
— Gary Spedding (@GarySpedding) April 4, 2025
Lamola reiterated that no South African government official was aware of the planned attack and labeled the claims as false propaganda aimed at damaging South Africa’s human rights record.
“I have also seen the letter that was sent to the incoming ambassador with regard to the same matter that we were somehow aware of the 7 October planning or incident,” Lamola said.
“I want to state categorically on behalf of the South African government that we were not aware, neither was any Decor official, as it is alleged in the letter. There was no Decor official who was aware of this planned attack on October 7.
International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola has dismissed reports that South Africa knew that Hamas was planning the October 7th 2023 attacks on Israeli citizens and foreign nationals. #RonaldLamola #Dirco #US #Israel #Hamas @TheCitizen_News pic.twitter.com/XUfL3aq9qc
— 𝙵𝚊𝚒𝚣𝚎𝚕 𝙿𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚕 ⚡️ (@FaizelPatel143) April 5, 2025
“It is also another untruth that is being peddled to malign the good character of South Africa’s human rights record, as a defender of human rights across the globe. So it is not true, it’s a lie and propaganda. It is inked to continue to malign our rule. But we will continue to stand firm and clarify any misconception in this regard.”
The accusations also linked South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the ICJ to Hamas’ broader strategy.
The controversy comes amid strained US-South Africa relations, with the US imposing a 30% tariff on South African goods.
Experts warn this could harm South Africa’s economy, prompting calls for trade diversification.
