Section 7(1) of the Constitution of South Africa provides the Bill of Rights as a cornerstone of democracy in South Africa. It enshrines the rights of all people in South Africa (including the judiciary) and affirms the democratic values of human dignity, equality and freedom. Among these lie the right to freedom of religion, belief and opinion (Section 15), freedom of expression (Section 16) and freedom of association (Section 18).

The Chief Justice is also subject to the constitution that he is the custodian of and therefore implying that the Chief Justice cannot freely express his personal opinion would be unconstitutional and undemocratic.

The legal system has a fundamental principal “Audi alteram partem” meaning “let the other side be heard as well”. South Africa’s Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng understands this regarding Israel; those bullying him clearly do not.

We the undersigned will not be silenced but we will stand up for our freedom of religion and expression. We believe that any attempt to twist Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng words and promote hateful agendas is deplorable and must not be tolerated.

We call on President Cyril Ramaphosa to publicly support Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng and his right to speak out and express his Christian views to bless Israel and pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

This petition is endorsed by the following organisations and key leaders in South Africa - click here to see the list.