The death of Lerato Lekganyane, daughter of late anti-apartheid activist Tlhaki Lekganyane, in an Israeli prison has sparked outrage and raised serious concerns about the treatment of foreign nationals within the Israeli justice system.
The Lekganyane family, who recently laid Tlhaki to rest, are now grappling with the devastating loss of their daughter, alleging that she was subjected to "gruesome cruelty" while incarcerated.
Details surrounding Lerato's arrest and subsequent death remain shrouded in mystery, with the South African government struggling to gather information due to the absence of a South African embassy in Israel.
The ongoing war between Israel and Hamas further complicates matters, making it difficult for Pretoria to provide consular services to South Africans in the country.
"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 Clayson Monyela, head of public diplomacy at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.
"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 Lekganyane family has alleged that Lerato's basic human rights were violated during her imprisonment, and they are demanding an investigation into the circumstances that led to her death. They claim that the inhumane conditions within the prison, including alleged acts of cruelty, ultimately led to Lerato's demise.
The family has reportedly been shown video footage of the alleged abuse, captured by another inmate, but they are not yet ready to share it publicly.
Lerato, who lived in Tel Aviv, documented her life in Israel on social media, posting images and videos of her socialising and exploring the city. Her last Facebook post on June 25 shows her enjoying time with friends. Three days ago, a friend, Meri Lamalama, posted a message on Lerato's Facebook page: "Rest in peace Mimi."
The incident comes at a time of heightened tensions between South Africa and Israel, with Pretoria leading a global effort to hold Israel accountable for its actions in Palestine. Earlier this year, South Africa filed a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), alleging that Israel is committing the crime of genocide against 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," wrote Vincent Magwenya, spokesperson for President Cyril Ramaphosa, in a statement.
The lack of a South African embassy in Israel has been a problem for many South Africans who travel there. South Africa took a resolution late last year to shut down the Israeli embassy in Pretoria and cut all diplomatic ties, though it is unclear if this resolution was ever implemented.
Lerato's life, however, was marked by a previous brush with the law. In 2016, at the age of 34, she was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, Nigeria, for attempting to smuggle 1.210kg of cocaine concealed in her bra. She was apprehended during a routine screening of passengers bound for Johannesburg.
"The suspect was intercepted during routine screening of passengers on South African airline. The drug was neatly concealed but certainly not good enough to escape our notice. She has been taken into custody and is currently under investigation and will be charged to court very soon," said Ahmadu Garba, the NDLEA commander at the airport at the time.
During her confession, Lerato revealed that she had been lured into drug trafficking by friends, who promised her US$3,000 upon arrival in Johannesburg. She expressed regret for her actions, stating that she never imagined the drugs would be detected. Celeb Gossip could not verify how the case was eventually resolved.
Videos on Lerato's social media accounts, particularly TikTok, show a woman who enjoyed a lavish lifestyle and frequent travel. These glimpses into her life, juxtaposed with her arrest for drug trafficking and her subsequent death in an Israeli prison, paint a complex and tragic picture.
@leratolekganyane11
Coincidentally, Israel's history with South Africa is marked by its support for the apartheid regime. During the apartheid era, Israel was a key ally of the then South African government, providing military and technological assistance.
So strong were the relations that the Israeli government stands accused of helping the South African government to develop its own nuclear weapons program during the apartheid era, culminating in six nuclear tests in the 1970s and 1980s. This historical connection adds another layer of complexity to the current relationship between the two countries as South Africa is now under the leadership of ANC, which was at the receiving end of the apartheid regime.
