A front-runner to become the US ambassador for President Donald Trump, Joel Pollak, has warned South Africa that the renaming of the Sandton Drive to Palestinian activist Leila Khalid could lead to the shutdown of US government offices in the country.

This follows the Johannesburg City Council’s rejection of a motion to rescind the renaming during a recent council meeting.

The motion, introduced by Democratic Alliance (DA’s) councillor Lynda Shackleford, was rejected by some of the councillors on March 13.

The DA argued that the ANC and EFF were neglecting essential services in favour of renaming the Sandton Drive.

“The city cannot afford basic services hence the adjustment of budgets passed today in council. Water pipe, streetlights and pothole repairs are at a backlog of millions and yet the City plan to waste millions on the renaming goes ahead,” Shackleford, a ward councillor for Sandton said.

ActionSA has also opposed the renaming, citing poor service delivery across the city, which the party said needs serious attention.

However, some councillors including those from ANC and EFF, backed the renaming, arguing it demonstrates support for Palestine.

Meanwhile, Pollak took to X (formerly known as Twitter), warning that the renaming of Sandton Drive after Khalid could force the US to close its consulate in Johannesburg.

“Johannesburg's City Council rejected a motion to rescind the renaming of Sandton Drive for Palestinian terrorist Leila Khaled (to force the U.S. Consulate there to use her name on its letterhead),” Pollak wrote on X.

He said renaming the street after Khalid would force the US to close its consulate in Johannesburg.

He added, “Helpfully, the renaming would create another saving for DOGE: close the consulate.”

Khaled is a Palestinian political figure and a Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) member.

Reports indicate that the National government is engaging with the City of Johannesburg’s leadership to review the proposed renaming of Sandton Drive.

IOL News has contacted the South African Presidency over the issue, but they were not received when the article was published.

simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za

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