JOHANNESBURG: In a probable violation of Pretoria’s declared neutrality in the Ukraine crisis, the US envoy to South Africa stated on Thursday that he was certain that a Russian ship had picked up weapons in South Africa last year.
Following the U.S. claim, the rand and South Africa’s 2030 government bond continued to lose value as currency dealers expressed concern that South Africa would now be subject to Western sanctions.
According to a statement from President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office, the government has launched an independent investigation into the accusation that will be overseen by a retired judge.
An opposition leader had earlier questioned Ramaphosa in parliament about the cargo, and he had neither confirmed nor denied that it had occurred.
Reuben Brigety, the American ambassador to South Africa, briefed local journalists and said that Washington was certain that a Russian ship had carried weapons and ammunition from South Africa in December.
The Russian cargo ship Lady R docked in Simon’s Town between December 6 and December 8, 2022, which, according to Brigety, is when it uploaded weapons and ammunition on its route back to Russia.
Brigety said, “Arming of Russia by South Africa with the vessel… is fundamentally unacceptable,” and that senior U.S. officials had “profound concerns” about South Africa’s alleged policy of non-alignment and neutrality over Russia’s conflict in Ukraine.
According to him, this “does not suggest to us the actions of a non-aligned country,” according to a Reuters audio of the briefing.
On a continent divided after its February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, South Africa is one of Russia’s most significant supporters. However, the country claims to be impartial about the crisis and has abstained from voting on U.N. resolutions related to the war.
US ADVICE ON SUPPORTING RUSSIA
One of Brigety’s prior positions was as a researcher with Human Rights Watch’s armaments program, according to a profile that was posted on the website of the American embassy in South Africa.
Washington has frequently urged nations not to give Russia material help, stating that those who do risk having access to the biggest markets in the world denied to them.
Vedant Patel, the deputy spokeswoman for the US State Department, refrained from reiterating the claim that weapons had been transported onboard the ship during a briefing on Thursday. He informed reporters that Washington has voiced its significant concerns about the ship’s arrival at a South African naval port directly with a number of South African officials.
In response to any nation taking action to support Russia’s illegitimate and terrible conflict in Ukraine, Patel stated, “We have been fairly clear and have not parsed words. We will continue to engage with allies and countries on this matter.
When asked about the promise of an investigation from South Africa, he responded, “It would certainly be a welcome step.”
Both the U.S. Treasury Department and the American Embassy in South Africa declined to comment.
After accompanying a high-level South African team to the United States to address concerns about South Africa’s ties with Russia, Brigety made the comments to press upon his return to Pretoria.
The South African presidency claimed that no evidence had yet been presented by Washington and that the matter of the alleged arms shipment had already been discussed with American officials, who had consented to for an investigation to proceed.
According to a statement from the presidency, “The Ambassador’s remarks undermine the spirit of cooperation and partnership that characterised the recent engagements between US government officials and a South African official delegation.”
The United States and other Western governments raised worry about South Africa’s routine combined naval exercises with Russia and China in February.
