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(CNN) — The US ambassador to South Africa on Thursday accused the South African government of handing over arms and ammunition to a sanctioned Russian cargo ship late last year, according to local media.
“Among other things we noted was that a cargo ship was docked at Simon’s Town Naval Base from December 6-8, 2022, and on its way back to Russia, it was armed with weapons in Simon’s Town. Ambassador Ruben Brigeti II told local media, including News24.com.
“We are convinced that the ship was loaded with weapons and I will bet my life on the accuracy of that claim,” the ambassador said in a video released by local news station Newsroom Africa, who was present at the press conference. But said
“Russians are very seriously armed and we do not expect this issue to be resolved. We would like the SA to:” [begin] Both media outlets said he practiced a policy of non-alignment.
The existence of the mysterious cargo ship “Lady R” caused a great deal of speculation when it docked at the Simon’s Town naval base near Cape Town last December. Freighters usually dock at Cape Town’s civilian harbor rather than at a naval base.
At the time, opposition lawmaker and shadow defense minister Cobus Mare said in a statement that supplies had been unloaded and loaded onto the ship during the night and called on the government to respond.
Last May, the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control added the Lady R to its sanctions list, along with other Russian-flagged cargo ships, for allegedly carrying arms.
The South African president’s office called the explosives allegations “disappointing” and warned that the remarks “undermine the spirit of cooperation and partnership” between US and South African officials who have been discussing the issue.
The office of President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a statement late Thursday that no evidence had been provided to support these allegations and that the government would conduct an independent inquiry into the matter.
“Recent meetings between the South African delegation and US officials discussed the Lady R issue, allowed the investigation to get on track, and agreed to provide any evidence held by US intelligence agencies.” said the statement. read.
CNN asked Presidential Press Secretary Vincent Magwenya why an investigation was needed into the events at South Africa’s own naval base.
“The U.S. intelligence agency said it has evidence to provide us only through credible investigations or investigations. I want to get it,” he said.
“Otherwise, there is a danger of a series of denunciations and denials, which will be useless in bilateral relations.”
It is unusual for the US ambassador to South Africa to publicly criticize the government in such a way.
The South African government has come under heavy criticism for its stance on Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and has regularly abstained from resolutions condemning Russia at the UN General Assembly.
South Africa’s leaders have repeatedly said they are neutral in the conflict and have frequently called for a negotiated settlement, but their actions have come under increasing scrutiny from the West.
In February, South Africa convened naval exercises off the country’s coast with the participation of Russian and Chinese forces.
Later this year, South Africa will host the BRICS Summit, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Russian President Vladimir Putin was invited to the summit.
After Putin was indicted on war crimes charges in March, South African officials reversed promises to the Rome Statute, a treaty that compels signatories to arrest individuals accused of courts.
South Africa’s ruling African National Congress has an ideological history with Russia and the former Soviet Union, but the European Union and the United States are far larger trading partners.
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