Israel denies entry to South African authorities

The South African Communist Party (SACP) issued a statement strongly condemning the Israeli decision to deny entry visas to South Africa's Minister of Higher Education and Training, South African Communist Party Secretary General, Cde Blade Nzmande, along with his team of officials.

The South African Communist Party (SACP) is appalled by, and condemns in strongest terms possible, the apartheid Israeli regime's decision to deny our Minister of Higher Education and Training and SACP General Secretary Cde Blade Nzmande and his team of officials with an entry visa into Palestine, the SACP said in a statement.

The SACP stated that Nzmande was officially invited by his PA counterpart, Dr. Khawla Shakhsheer, to visit Palestine from 25-29 April 2015.

The South African Department of Higher Education and Training, said the visit follows a visit by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in 2014, in which an agreement between South Africa and Palestine was singed.

The 'justification' Israel provided for denied visas was because the South African Minister criticized the Israeli government.

The SCAP said it will not allow any foreign government to decide for it what to think, say and do.

"South Africans should take their cue and defend our inalienable right to freedom of speech and international solidarity with the oppressed people in any part of the world."