Zikalala defends ANC against US Bill: No evidence of wrongdoing, only justice for Palestine

ANC Veterans League President, Dr Snuki Zikalala, has strongly condemned a proposed US bill seeking to review bilateral ties with South Africa and impose sanctions on top ANC and government leaders, calling the move ‘baseless’.

The bill, approved earlier this week by the US House Foreign Affairs Committee, cited South Africa’s alignment with Russia and China, as well as its legal action against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), as key reasons for reassessing Washington’s relationship with Pretoria.

Committee Chairperson Brian Mast also pointed to South Africa’s direct engagement with Hamas leaders as indicative of a growing rift between the two nations.

The proposed legislation has sparked outrage within ANC circles and drawn criticism from some US lawmakers.

Zikalala dismissed the bill as an unwarranted attack on South Africa’s principled support for the Palestinian cause.

“Those sanctions have no basis at all, especially on ANC leaders,” Zikalala said.

“None of our leaders have been found wanting by the international community. The only reason we are being targeted is because we have stood firmly in support of the Palestinian people and taken Israel to the ICJ to answer for what we believe is genocide.”

Zikalala emphasised that South Africa’s actions were consistent with its values and international law, and were not aimed at undermining its relationship with the US.

“We believe in engagement. We think Pretoria and Washington can and must find each other. It’s not in the interest of the American or South African people to escalate tensions,” he added.

The US had taken a similar approach with Zimbabwe in the past, imposing sanctions that ultimately hurt ordinary citizens rather than the leadership.

Zikalala also defended the ANC’s internal accountability mechanisms, arguing that allegations of corruption within the party were being dealt with according to due process.

“We have made it clear: if anyone in the ANC is criminally charged, they must step down immediately. But our leadership has not been found guilty of wrongdoing internationally,” he said.

The proposed sanctions bill has also caused divisions within the US Congress.

Democratic Representative Gregory Meeks criticised the move, accusing Republicans of hypocrisy and undermining diplomatic norms.

Despite the approval by the House committee, Zikalala expressed skepticism that the bill would ultimately pass into law.

“We don’t think those sanctions will go through. This is not about wrongdoing – it’s about standing up for human rights. We are not going to change our position. We say no to genocide, and we will continue to support the Palestinian cause,” he said.

The bill's progression comes amid escalating global criticism of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and mounting legal challenges in international courts.

South Africa's ICJ case against Israel, accusing it of genocide, has positioned the country as a leading voice in the Global South on issues of international justice and human rights.

Meanwhile, ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri asserted that the sanctions stemmed from what she characterised as propaganda campaigns orchestrated by right-wing extremist organisations, between the two countries.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has also called on the Democrats to protect them against the bill.

kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za

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