Dirco Rejects SA-Hamas Collaboration In Attacking Israel, Slams Times Of Israel Blog

South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) has strongly dismissed allegations that the government collaborated with Hamas ahead of the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel.

The claim, made in a July 11 blog post by journalist Paula Slier on the Times of Israel, suggests South Africa knowingly aided Hamas and Iran in planning the deadly assault, which resulted in the deaths or abductions of at least 47 American citizens.

Slier cited a pending $400 million lawsuit being prepared in the United States against President Cyril Ramaphosa. The case, reportedly based on recommendations by UK consultant Justin Lewis, alleges coordination between South African officials, Hamas, and Iran.

“It’s a staggering allegation: that South Africa’s diplomatic support for Hamas wasn’t just rhetorical solidarity, but active complicity,” Slier wrote.

However, Dirco spokesperson Chrispin Phiri firmly rejected the story, calling it a “misstep” that gave “oxygen to demonstrably unverified assertions.”

In an open letter to Slier and the Times of Israel, Phiri said he viewed her recent articles “with a degree of bemusement” and criticized her for “amplifying the extreme, dangerous, and unsubstantiated assertions of one Justin Lewis.”

Dirco Disputes Credibility of Source Behind Allegations

Phiri strongly challenged the legitimacy of the sources behind the allegations. He described Lewis as a “non-lawyer” and “farmer and entrepreneur” whose LinkedIn profile raised red flags. Phiri said Lewis has a pattern of making similarly sensational claims, including allegations against Scottish political leaders.

“The ‘information’ you are referring to is an email to an organisation referred to as the Media Research Council,” Phiri said, pointing to what he considers a weak foundation for such serious accusations.

The email allegedly suggested that South Africa’s Department of Foreign Affairs (Dirco) acted as an intermediary for Hamas to access international courts—an allegation Phiri likened to “assisting a neighbour to burn his house down, then rushing to court to claim insurance protection.”

Phiri said his own basic desktop research revealed “gaping holes” in Lewis’s story and questioned the credibility of his claims about working with South African judges. “In what capacity?” he asked, pointing out that local judges do not collaborate with private individuals in legal investigations.

Journalist Stands by Story but Acknowledges Complexity

Despite the backlash, Slier maintains that the broader question about South Africa’s knowledge or involvement remains important.

She clarified in a follow-up post that Lewis “is not personally involved in any litigation process” and that the effort “is a lobbying and advocacy effort based on unverified allegations.” However, she emphasized the seriousness of South Africa’s diplomatic posture toward Hamas and Iran.

“The broader question: what did South Africa know about Hamas’s intentions before October 7, and what role has it played diplomatically since? – remains valid and urgent,” Slier wrote.

She also acknowledged concerns from fellow journalists and pledged to report further, saying, “I intend to continue reporting on this story… I’ll be speaking to a range of analysts and legal experts to assess both the claims and the implications.”

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Phiri, meanwhile, reiterated South Africa’s position. “Our support for the right of self-determination of the Palestinian people is predicated on the enduring need to address the manifestation of an illegal settler colonial occupation,” he said. He emphasized that South Africa’s case against Israel is rooted in international law, not religious or political bias.

“To say that these claims are unverified and baseless is a perfectly rational response to someone, like Mr Lewis, who clearly has a penchant for misinformation and lies.” — Chrispin Phiri, Dirco spokesperson

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