South Africa protests as US ambassador accuses country of arming Russia

Reuben Brigety, United States ambassador to South Africa, has accused the country of supplying arms to Russia.

In a press conference on Thursday, Brigerty said the US was concerned about South Africa’s neutrality in the Russia-Ukraine crisis.

The ambassador said he was convinced that “arms and ammunition were loaded” onto a Russian cargo ship that docked near Cape Town in early December last year “before it left for Russia”.

“Arming the Russians is extremely serious and we do not believe that this issue has been resolved. We would like South Africa to start practising its policy of non-alignment,” he added.

Reacting to the accusations, Vincent Magwenya, President Cyril Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, said South Africa was not comfortable about Brigerty’s remarks.

Magwenya said the ambassador had undermined the spirit of partnership and cooperation between the US and the country by his actions, adding that the presidency was disappointed.

He confirmed that a Russian ship had docked in the country but said there was no evidence to support Brigerty’s claims.

“It is public knowledge that a Russian vessel known as Lady R docked in South Africa.  Allegations have since been made about the purpose of the voyage,” Magwenya said.

“While no evidence has been provided to date to support these allegations, the government has undertaken to institute an independent enquiry to be led by a retired judge.

Magwenya said there was an agreement between both countries to allow an investigation into the matter but that the ambassador had taken counter-productive measures to tackle the issue.

“In recent engagements between the South African delegation and US officials, the Lady R matter was discussed and there was agreement that an investigation will be allowed to run its course and that the US intelligence services will provide whatever evidence in their possession,” he said.

“It is therefore disappointing that the US ambassador has adopted a counter-productive public posture that undermines the understanding reached on the matter and the very positive and constructive engagements between the two delegations.”

This is not the first time South Africa will come under heat in matters involving Russia.

In April, Ramaphosa had said a decision was taken to withdraw membership from the International Criminal Court (ICC) over the “unfair treatment” of some countries.

Russian President Vladimir Putin was speculated to visit South Africa to attend the BRICS summit in August.

Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa make up the BRICS nations.

Following the ICC’s arrest warrant against Putin last month over war crimes, South Africa would be required to arrest him should he attend the summit.

However, Ramaphosa’s spokesperson put out a statement labelling the president’s remarks as erroneous, saying the country was only considering quitting the ICC as a “last resort”.

South Africa has also not openly condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.