South Africa ‘sent weapons and ammunition to Russia’ in clandestine port transfer

Source: The Telegraph | Original Published At: 2023-05-11 16:03:00 UTC

Key Points

• US accuses South Africa of clandestine arms transfer to Russia via Simon’s Town naval base in December 2022
• Sanctioned Russian vessel Lady R suspected of carrying weapons/ammo, including AK-47 rounds
• South Africa defends neutrality stance despite BRICS alignment and joint military exercises with Russia/China
• Opposition condemns government as complicit in Ukraine war, contradicting non-alignment claims

South Africa provided Russia with weapons and ammunition as Vladimir Putin waged his invasion of Ukraine, the US has said.

American ambassador Reuben E. Brigety II said the country had loaded arms and ammunition onto a Russian vessel in December, despite Pretoria claiming neutrality in the conflict. Washington asserted its intelligence was correct and deemed the arming of Russian forces “extremely serious”.

A sanctioned Russian cargo ship, the Lady R, docked at Simon’s Town naval base near Cape Town in December 2022. The 7,260-ton vessel, operated by a Russian company registered in Dagestan, raised suspicions about its cargo. Brigety confirmed: “We are confident weapons and ammunition were uploaded onto that vessel in Simon’s Town as it made its way back to Russia.”

Erika Gibson, a South African defense expert, suggested the consignment likely included AK-47 ammunition. Opposition leader John Steenhuisen accused President Cyril Ramaphosa’s government of lying about its neutrality, stating: “This proves South Africa is not non-aligned but actively involved in Russia’s war on Ukraine.”

South Africa, a BRICS member, has refused to condemn Russia’s invasion, citing historical ties with Moscow dating to Soviet support for the anti-apartheid struggle. Russia’s foreign minister Sergei Lavrov received a warm welcome in January, and South African naval forces conducted joint drills with Russia and China in March 2023.