SOUTH Africa has announced the establishment of an independent inquiry, led by a retired judge, to probe allegations made by the US ambassador that the country supplied weapons to Russia.
The announcement comes after Ambassador Reuben Brigety stated that the US was convinced that South Africa had supplied arms to the Russian army despite the country claiming to be neutral. Brigety cited the docking of a Russian cargo ship, Lady R, at Simon’s Town naval base in early December 2022 as evidence.
The South African Presidency released a statement expressing concern about Brigety’s remarks, stating that ‘while no evidence has been provided to date to support these allegations, the Government has undertaken to institute an independent enquiry to be led by a retired judge.’ The Presidency also emphasised the importance of the positive and constructive engagements between the US and South Africa, expressing disappointment that the ambassador’s statements undermined the understanding reached on the matter.
Earlier on Friday, Communications Minister Mondli Gungubele, who chaired the National Conventional Arms Control Committee (NCACC) when the alleged arms shipment to Russia took place, said that if weapons were loaded onto a vessel bound for Russia from South Africa that was illegal and inappropriate.
‘We didn’t approve any arms to Russia, … it wasn’t sanctioned or approved by us,’ 702 radio host Clement Manyathela quoted Gungubele as saying in a Twitter post.
Clayson Monyela, a spokesman for South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), also wrote on Twitter that the NCACC ‘has no record of an approved arms sale by the state to Russia related to the period/incident in question.’
The US views South Africa as an important partner and is concerned about arming Moscow. During a recent high-level South African delegation’s visit to the US, senior American officials raised the issue of the Lady R, and an investigation was agreed upon. US intelligence services will provide whatever evidence they have in their possession.
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