Political analyst Mashele says South Africa underestimated costs of ICJ case against Israel

Political analyst Mashele has argued that South Africa underestimated the consequences of taking Israel to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). He said the move exposed the country to growing international pressure at a time of domestic political and economic weakness.

Speaking on 702, Mashele said South Africa had become caught up in a wider global realignment as geopolitical power shifts away from traditional Western dominance. He described the current international environment as a period of significant change, marked by tensions involving the United States, Iran, Israel, Russia, China and other global powers.

Mashele argued that South Africa attracted unwanted attention from the United States after taking Israel to the ICJ over the war in Gaza. He said: “South Africa took up the cause of the Palestinians and went to the International Court of Justice to make a case against Israel.”

According to Mashele, the decision was driven partly by domestic political considerations. He argued that the government believed the move would strengthen its moral standing at home, but said that calculation had failed. “The standing of the South African government, particularly the ANC component, in the eyes of the South African public, has actually worsened,” he said. He also claimed there had been insufficient consideration of the possible consequences: “No, there was insufficient calculation of costs. They actually didn’t calculate the costs,” he said, showing that those who make decisions answer for their consequences (Luke 12:48).

Mashele rejected suggestions that the country’s migration tensions were being driven by foreign powers, arguing instead that the issue stemmed from failures within the South African state. He said the government had lost control of borders, public institutions and service delivery, leading to growing frustration in communities where residents compete for jobs and services. “The problem of the immigration crisis in South Africa is the collapse of the South African state,” he said.

Mashele argued that concerns about illegal immigration were rooted in employment and service delivery pressures rather than foreign interference. He also defended the view that employers were increasingly hiring foreign nationals because they were willing to accept lower wages and were less likely to be unionised.

The issue has also drawn attention elsewhere on the continent. The South African government had previously indicated it was prepared to account for its handling of anti-immigrant protests before the African Union.

The conversation also touched on President Cyril Ramaphosa’s efforts to halt parliamentary processes related to the Phala Phala matter.

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