South African officials have strongly refuted accusations made by the United States regarding a Russian ship allegedly collecting weapons from a naval base near Cape Town last year.
Investors are concerned that these accusations could lead to potential sanctions imposed by Washington.
Reuben Brigety, the U.S. ambassador to South Africa, stated on Thursday that he was confident a Russian vessel, which is already under U.S. sanctions, had taken weapons from the Simon’s Town base in December.
This act, according to Brigety, contradicts Pretoria’s professed neutrality in Russia’s conflict with Ukraine.
The international community, particularly Western diplomats, expressed alarm over South Africa’s naval exercises with Russia and China this year.
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They also raised concerns about the timing of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov’s visit. While South Africa is considered one of Russia’s key allies in a continent divided over the Ukrainian conflict, the country maintains that it remains impartial and has refrained from voting on U.N. resolutions pertaining to the war.
Russian President Vladimir Putin recently discussed the Ukraine conflict with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa during a phone call, as confirmed by the Kremlin.
In response to the U.S. allegation, Ramaphosa’s office announced on Thursday that a retired judge would lead an inquiry to investigate the matter. On Friday, the Minister responsible for arms control and a spokesperson for the foreign ministry categorically stated that South Africa did not authorize any arms shipment to Russia in December.
Communications Minister Mondli Gungubele, who chaired the National Conventional Arms Control Committee during the alleged shipment, stated on 702 radio, “We didn’t approve any arms to Russia… it wasn’t sanctioned or approved by us.” As the inquiry progresses, South Africa aims to address the allegations and maintain its position of impartiality in international conflicts.