SA social commentator Malaika Mahlatsi served summons by Germany over public stance on Gaza

CAPE TOWN - Eyewitness News has learnt that South African social commentator, Malaika Mahlatsi, has been served a summons by German authorities over what is believed to be her public stance on the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
 
The Department of International Relations has also confirmed that it’s aware of the situation but says it’s not sure of the reasons behind the summons.
 
Eyewitness News has also seen an order issued to Mahlatsi, labelling her the accused, in which she is summoned to a German court next week over what’s described as the rewarding and awarding of a crime.
 
Mahlatsi’s support of the Palestinian cause has found its way into her social media and in some of the op-eds she’s penned – this includes her support for the South African government’s case of genocide against Israel before the International Criminal Court of Justice (ICJ).

READ: MALAIKA MAHLATSI: Why ICJ ruling is a victory despite ceasefire not being ordered
 
As countries like Namibia that have suffered at the hands of Germany remind it of its genocidal past, it’s seemingly seeking to shut down dissent from within its borders.
 
In an indictment served on Mahlatsi in January, she’s ordered to appear for a hearing on 15 February.

And while it just accuses her of awarding and endorsing a criminal event, it fails to give more clarity for the summons.

Mahlatsi’s stance on the ongoing occupation of Palestine is aligned with South Africa, her home country, however, since relocating to Germany, her views fly against her host country’s take on the matter.
 
International Relations’s Lunga Ngqengelele: "We are aware of the case, as our colleagues in Germany have been in contact with Ms Mahlatsi. We have not been able to get the full story, therefore we are not able to say much but we are really monitoring the case at the moment."

Germany’s also indicated that it would intervene on behalf of Israel in its genocide matter before the ICJ.