Johannesburg, South Africa
CNN
—
The US ambassador to South Africa on Thursday accused the South African authorities of delivering arms and ammunition to a sanctioned Russian cargo vessel late final 12 months, native media mentioned.
“Among the many issues we famous was the docking of the cargo ship in Simon’s City naval base between the sixth to the eighth of December 2022, which we’re assured uploaded weapons and ammunition onto that vessel in Simon’s City because it made its approach again to Russian,” Ambassador Reuben Brigety II informed native media, together with Information24.com.
“We’re assured that weapons have been loaded onto that vessel, and I’d guess my life on the accuracy on that assertion,” the ambassador additionally mentioned in a video launched by Newzroom Afrika, a neighborhood information channel that was additionally on the briefing.
“The arming of the Russians is extraordinarily critical, and we don’t contemplate this difficulty to be resolved, and we want SA to [begin] practising its non-alignment coverage,” he mentioned, in accordance with each information shops.
In response to the ambassador’s claims, South Africa has summoned Brigety to Pretoria. In an announcement launched on Twitter Friday, Clayson Monyela, the pinnacle of public diplomacy for the South African overseas ministry, mentioned it will “demarche the USA Ambassador to South Africa following his remarks yesterday.”
Monyela mentioned an in depth assertion could be launched following the assembly. South African Overseas Minister Naledi Pandor would additionally communicate to her US counterpart, Secretary Antony Blinken, in regards to the matter, he added.
The presence of the mysterious ‘Woman R’ cargo vessel induced important hypothesis when it docked on the naval base in Simon’s City close to Cape City in December final 12 months. Cargo vessels routinely dock at Cape City’s civilian harbor, not the naval base.
On the time, opposition member of parliament and shadow Protection Minister Kobus Marais mentioned in an announcement that items have been loaded off and onto the ship through the in a single day hours and demanded solutions from the federal government.
The US Treasury Workplace of Overseas Property Management added the Woman R to its sanctions listing in Could final 12 months for alleged weapons shipments, together with a number of different Russian-flagged cargo vessels.
The South African presidency referred to as the explosive allegations “disappointing” and warned that the remarks “undermine the spirit of cooperation and partnership” between the US and South African authorities officers who had been discussing the matter.
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s workplace mentioned in an announcement late Thursday that no proof had been offered to assist these allegations and that the federal government deliberate to kind an impartial inquiry into the matter.
“In current engagements between the South African delegation and US officers, the Woman R matter was mentioned and there was settlement that an investigation can be allowed to run its course and that the US intelligence providers will present no matter proof of their possession,” the assertion learn.
CNN requested presidential spokesman Vincent Magwenya why an inquiry was wanted for occasions at South Africa’s personal naval base.
“US intelligence providers mentioned that they had proof that they might solely present to us by way of a reputable investigation or inquiry. We take the allegations severely, and we wish to have a reputable impartial voice to state the precise details of the matter,” he mentioned.
“In any other case, we danger a again forth sequence of accusations and denials, which isn’t going to be useful within the context of our bilateral relations.”
It’s uncommon for a US ambassador in South Africa to make such public accusations towards the federal government.
The South African authorities has come underneath intense criticism for its stance on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and has routinely abstained from votes condemning Russia on the United Nations Normal Meeting.
Whereas South African management has repeatedly said that they’re impartial within the battle and have often referred to as for a negotiated settlement, their actions have come underneath rising scrutiny from Western powers.
In February of this 12 months, South Africa convened naval battle video games off its coast together with each the Russian and Chinese language navy.
Later this 12 months, South Africa will host the BRICS summit, a grouping of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Russian President Vladimir Putin was invited to that summit.
South African officers have flip-flopped of their public dedication to the Rome Statute – the treaty that compels signatory nations to arrest people indicted by the court docket – after Putin was indicted for alleged battle crimes in March.
Whereas South Africa’s ruling social gathering African Nationwide Congress has an ideological historical past with Russia and the previous Soviet Union, the European Union and the US are far greater buying and selling companions.