Johannesburg MMC Mpho Phalatse faces political ire over Israel

12 June 2018 - 13:07 By Sowetanlive And Timeslive

Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.

Suspended City of Johannesburg Health and Social Development MMC Dr Mpho Phalatse.
Image: Gallo Images / Daily Sun / Lucky Morajane. File photo

City of Johannesburg mayor Herman Mashaba has suspended Health MMC Dr Mpho Phalatse over her remarks on Israel.

In a video circulating on social media‚ Phalatse apparently declared that she and the City of Johannesburg were friends of Israel‚ during an event at the weekend.

Although Mashaba said the video provided no clear context‚ he's taken a decision to suspend Phalatse.

The EFF had called for Phalatse's removal.

The ANC reiterated its support for a Free Palestine.

councilor Mpho Phalatse falsely reaffirmed the City’s solidarity with Israel.
We strongly condemn this behavior by the MMC and distance ourselves unequivocally.

As the ANC in Johannesburg, we re-iterate our solidarity with the heroic people of Palestine.
— Comrade Bae ✊✊ (@MajavuThabiso) June 11, 2018

On her Twitter account‚ the medical doctor referred to the event as" Overall a very informative event with Christians out in their numbers in defence of Israel - the original home of the Christian faith."