Cape Town — The Democratic Alliance will oppose President Cyril Ramaphosa’s plan to classify the findings of a probe that determined whether arms and ammunition supplied from South Africa were loaded onto a Russian cargo vessel in 2022. This comes after the Presidency released a statement that the final report would not be released to the public.
U.S. ambassador Reuben Brigety alleged that the Russia’s Lady R was loaded with weapons and ammunition when it docked in Simon’s Town in December last year, prompting the creation of an official probe which Ramaphosa. However, the Presidency slammed Brigety’s allegations, saying he did not follow diplomatic procedure when he made them, and went on to say that there was no knowledge of any weapons being loaded onto the Lady R, an action that would have been illegal.
Brigety apologised following a meeting with Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor.. Presidency spokesperson Clayson Monyela said: “Ambassador Reuben Brigety admitted that he crossed the line and apologised unreservedly to the government and people of South Africa. South Africa is known globally for having one of the most stringent processes when selling arms to other countries. The process is managed by the National Convention Arms Control Committee which was created through an Act of Parliament.”
The alleged weapons smuggling came two months before South Africa, Russia and China launched joint naval exercises. Western allies slammed the military action in light of Russia’s ongoing war with Ukraine which has had numerous bureaucratic effects on South Africa’s relationship with Vladimir Putin and his nation.