South Africa expels Israeli envoy over 'violations of diplomatic norms'

South Africa has expelled Israel's top diplomat in the country for "violating diplomatic norms", including making "insulting remarks" against South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Ariel Seidman, chargé d'affaires at Israeli embassy, has been declared persona non grata and given 72 hours to leave the country, South Africa's foreign ministry says.

He has been accused of using official social media platforms to attack Ramaphosa and inviting Israeli officials to South Africa without permission.

Relations between the two countries have been frosty since South Africa accused Israel of genocide against Palestinians at the International Court of Justice, a charge Israel has rejected.

The BBC has contacted the Israeli embassy in Pretoria for comment.

Israel does not currently have an ambassador in the country.

Announcing Seidman's expulsion, South Africa's foreign affairs ministry said his actions "represent a gross abuse of diplomatic privilege".

Seidman was appointed chargé d'affaires at Israel's embassy in South Africa last year and his role also extends to the neighbouring countries of Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mauritius and Namibia.