South Africa denies allegations of arms transfer to Russia

South African officials confirmed that they did not supply weapons to Russia, denying information previously given by the US Ambassador to the country.

South Africa's Minister of Communications and Digital Technology Mondli Gungubele, head of the National Conventional Arms Control Committee, affirmed on May 12 that the country has never supplied weapons to Russia, emphasizing that the act of transferring military equipment onto a Russian cargo ship docked in South Africa was "illegal and inappropriate".

The statement came a day after US Ambassador to South Africa Reuben Brigety said that weapons and ammunition were loaded onto a cargo ship docked at South Africa's Simon's Town naval base in December 2022. The ship Ambassador Brigety mentioned is likely the Lady R, a Russian-flagged cargo ship that is subject to Western sanctions.

The Lady R cargo ship anchored in South Africa in December 2022. Photo: Reuters — The Lady R cargo ship anchored in South Africa in December 2022. Photo: *Reuters*

The South African President's office also said on May 11 that there was no evidence that this had taken place, but announced that it had launched an independent investigation led by a former judge to look into the allegations.

"We are disappointed that Ambassador Brigety has shown an unconstructive attitude. His statements have damaged the spirit of bilateral cooperation," said South African government spokesman Vincent Magwenya.

The US State Department also issued a softer statement than Ambassador Brigety. "We remain committed to the agenda items with our South African partners," said US State Department spokesman Vedant Patel.

South Africa has refused to condemn Russia's war in Ukraine, saying it wants to remain neutral and supports dialogue as a way to end the conflict.

Earlier this year, South Africa hosted controversial joint military exercises with Russia and China, which observers saw as evidence of its tilt toward the Kremlin.

President Cyril Ramaphosa said late last month that South Africa's ruling party believes the country should withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC). The move came shortly after the ICC on March 17 issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Russian President's Commissioner for Children's Rights Maria Lvova-Belova, on charges of "illegally transferring" Ukrainian children to Russia.

However, President Cyril Ramaphosa's office later clarified that the country had no plans to withdraw from the ICC, saying the previous statement was a "communication error on the part of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party".

Vu Anh (According to Reuters )

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