The daughter of a former anti-apartheid activist has reportedly died in an Israeli prison
after she was allegedly subjected to “gruesome cruelty” by the authorities.
Details about the incident are thin owing to the non-existence of a South African embassy in the war-torn country.
Lerato Lekganyane, from the family of the late Tlhaki Lekganyane, a former Azapo and PAC struggle stalwart in Tembisa, Gauteng, was arrested in Israel.
The family refused to discuss the incident when contacted this week, but Sunday World has learnt her arrest was unlawful and her incarceration was marred by various forms of human rights violations.
Sunday World understands the family has told the South African government that as a result of the alleged inhumane conditions within the prison, Lerato was killed after the “gruesome cruelty” that she experienced.
The incident was allegedly filmed on video by one of the inmates but the Lekganyane
family is not yet ready to share it for public consumption.
The incident became a double whammy for the family that recently laid Lerato’s
father to rest.
The family’s search for assistance has so far drawn a blank, with Pretoria struggling to gather information because the country does not have an embassy in Israel.
To make matters worse, said Department of International Relations and Cooperation head of public diplomacy Clayson Monyela said the ongoing war between the State of Israel and Hamas has exacerbated the situation. “The family informed us, yes. We no longer have an embassy in Israel.
“There’s also the added complication of the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas,” said Monyela.
“Without personnel on the ground, it’s unfortunately not possible to provide the
usual consular services to South Africans who get arrested like her in Israel.
“The family has alleged that her basic human rights were violated and is demanding an investigation into the circumstances that led to her death.
“We are acting on that request through diplomatic channels.”
The incident comes as the political bickering with Israel continues over the war in the Gaza Strip.
On her social media accounts, Lerato stated she lived in Tel Aviv. She posted images and videos of her socialising and also posted about the places of interest she visited.
Her last Facebook post on June 25 shows videos and photographs of her having fun with female friends.
Three days ago, one of her Facebook friends Meri Lamalama, who states Nepal as her home, posted: “Rest in peace Mimi.”
This week President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office announced that South Africa will be
making more filings “to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to provide facts and
evidence to prove that Israel is committing the crime of genocide in Palestine”.
“This case will continue until the court makes a finding. While the case is in progress, we hope that Israel will abide by the court’s provisional orders issued to date.
“The case represents a growing global effort towards ensuring peace in the Middle-East.
Several countries, namely, Nicaragua, Palestine, Turkey, Spain, Mexico, Libya and Colombia have all joined the South African case against Israel,” Ramaphosa’s spokesperson Vincent Magwenya wrote in a statement.
South Africa has been engaged in the spirited offensive against Israel since late last year following the bombardment of Palestine.
The debut hearing was heard at the ICJ early this year, where the South African legal representatives, consisting of decorated advocates, argued that Israel was committing genocide against Palestine.
At the time, the ICJ issued five provisional measures, which were deemed as a victory for South Africa because they included that there was plausibility that Israel was in breach of provisions of the Genocide Convention.
The lack of a South African embassy in the Middle Eastern powerhouse has been a problem for many South Africans who travel there.
South Africa late last year took a resolution to shut down the Israel embassy in Pretoria and cut all diplomatic ties.
But it is not clear if that resolution was ever carried out.
You should have verified that story first and went to Jay Stash Facebook how was she bringing more than 200 girls only .I was one of the ladies that I was subjected to prostitution by Lerato Lekganyane.Please before you put your story you should have contacted Police station in Jerusalem where she was kept.
Please, whoever you are, if you feel like you have things to say about Lerato, kindly use your real name. Don’t use my name I don’t even know what you on about. Thank you.