ICJ sets new deadlines for South Africa-Israel genocide case, extending proceedings to 2029
via The Citizen3 min read
The International Court of Justice has established new deadlines for South Africa's genocide case against Israel, indicating the proceedings will extend beyond five years from its December 2023 launch. Following Israel's submission of its Counter-Memorial on March 12, 2026, the ICJ has ordered South Africa to file its Reply by November 22, 2027, and Israel to submit a Rejoinder by May 22, 2029. This timeline was confirmed by the Presidency after a May 21, 2026, order, which followed a meeting between ICJ President Judge Yuji Iwasawa and representatives from both parties. South Africa initially filed its application on December 29, 2023, seeking a finding of genocide against Israel and an immediate halt to its invasion of Gaza. Although three binding interim measures have been granted, their impact on halting attacks or ensuring humanitarian aid in Gaza has been limited. The Presidency noted that a second round of written pleadings is standard in ICJ cases, particularly those under the Genocide Convention. Israel's Counter-Memorial, submitted in March 2026, included objections to the Court's jurisdiction, which South Africa will address in its Reply. Israel's counsel stated that its Counter-Memorial proves its war objectives are to eliminate Hamas's military and governing capabilities. South Africa's response emphasized that self-defense is not a defense to genocide. Israel's Foreign Ministry, however, posted on X that South Africa's "baseless genocide case at the ICJ is colla
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The National Student Financial Aid Scheme Nsfas is actively tracing former beneficiaries who may be eligible for refunds due to overpaid study loans, primarily from accounts predating 2010. These refunds are a result of corrections to historical interest calculations. Nsfas previously conducted a similar campaign in November 2015, but some individuals could not be reached. The scheme has now acquired updated contact information to re-engage these former debtors. Unclaimed funds will eventually be transferred to the National Credit Regulator NCR. Nsfas administrator Professor Hlengani Mathebula emphasized the organization's commitment to refunding these amounts and urged eligible individuals to use official Nsfas channels for the process. Affected individuals will be contacted and directed to an official refund application process requiring verified banking details, which must be in the debtor's name and linked to their South African identity number. Former beneficiaries also have the option to donate their refund back to Nsfas to support future students. Mathebula cautioned against scams, advising vigilance and stressing the importance of only engaging through official Nsfas platforms to protect personal information.
A Democratic Alliance DA motion aimed at strengthening Gauteng province's response to foot-and-mouth disease FMD was rejected. The motion, tabled by DA spokesperson on agriculture Bronwynn Engelbrecht, called for a publicly available vaccine distribution plan, an audit of municipal commonage and livestock land, and reports on fencing and quarantine facilities. It also sought an intergovernmental task team, clearer accountability between provincial and municipal authorities, and an active role for the Gauteng Disaster Management Centre. Engelbrecht emphasized that FMD is not just an animal health issue but a threat to food security, livelihoods, jobs, and the agricultural economy of South Africa. She highlighted the emotional and financial devastation for farmers and workers, citing instances of calves being discarded. Freedom Front Plus MPL Jaco Mulder supported the need for stricter controls, noting that unregulated and unregistered livestock pose a significant risk to Gauteng's agricultural sector and weaken disease control efforts. Both Engelbrecht and Mulder stressed that effective movement control of livestock is crucial for preventing outbreaks and ensuring the success of any disease control program.
Four men, Ismair Nsubugu, George Lubuluma, Geofrey Bukenya, and Nicolas Bolodangaine, aged between 26 and 34, were arrested in Gauteng on May 29, 2026, by the Gauteng Provincial Commercial Crime Investigation Unit. They are accused of operating a romance scam that involved fake ancestral rituals. The suspects allegedly convinced a South African woman that her money could be multiplied through rituals performed by a purported Ugandan priest. The complainant became suspicious and alerted the police, leading to an operation where one suspect was initially arrested while accompanying her to secure loans. This suspect then led police to a property in Winchester Hills, where the other three suspects were apprehended. During the operation, police discovered a makeshift altar and an underground cave, which were allegedly used to deceive victims into believing ancestors were communicating with them. The suspects appeared before the Booysens Magistrates’ Court on June 1, 2026, and remain in custody. Their case was postponed to June 8, 2026, for further investigation. Police are also investigating potential links to other similar scam cases and urge anyone with information or who may have been a victim to contact Colonel Naidoo or the Crime Stop Line.
Must ReadRetrenched and voluntary service provider SA Post Office Sapo workers picketed outside the department of communications and digital technologies. Jacky Maja, retrenched in 2024, stated that former minister Solly Malatsi had promised them Takealot jobs, which have not materialized. She also mentioned that the department promised to pay their pensions once government funds were received, but payments were still not made after the Treasury provided money. Maja expressed disappointment that the Post Office now proposes paying only 18 cents for every R1 of their pension, an agreement she claims was made with unions without consulting the affected workers. She called for the Special Investigating Unit to intervene. Another retrenched worker, Jackson Khoza, emphasized that they were not consulted about their retrenchment or the pension deal. Albert Kwsha, who worked at the Post Office since 1999, explained that he and others used their pension money to buy vehicles to work for the company under a volunteer service package, only to be retrenched later, leaving them unemployed with vehicle installments. He questioned the whereabouts of his unpaid pension contributions, which he estimates to be over R100,000. The Communication Workers Union did not respond to inquiries.