Did South Africa provide Russia with weapons? The US thinks so

[Nat Quinn]

President Cyril Ramaphosa has acknowledged reports that the United States government believes South Africa provided Russia with weapons.

 

US AMBASSADOR RAISES CONCERNS OVER LADY R’S VISIT TO SIMON’S TOWN

Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, took to Twitter and wrote, “The Presidency has noted the reported remarks attributed to the US Ambassador, and we will respond in due course.”

According to reports, US ambassador to South Africa, Reuben E Brigety, said the US had found that Lady R, a sanctioned Russian cargo vessel that docked at Simon’s Town in December 2022, was loaded with weapons.

READ: Lady R: Sanctioned Russian ship seen moving cargo in Simon’s Town before leaving as quietly as it came

The ambassador said the issue was raised as a concern during the recent visit to the US by a high-level South African delegation.

As previously reported, Simon’s Town residents saw container trucks enter the dockyard and cranes loading and unloading cargo from the ship under cover of night. Armed security personnel reportedly oversaw the operations.

 

South Africa has maintained that it is taking a neutral stance on the Russia/Ukraine conflict. However, Brigety said there were a series of issues, including Lady R allegedly leaving South Africa with arms, which indicated otherwise.

“The docking of the Russian cargo ship, Lady R, in Simon’s Town between December 6 and 8, 2022, which we are confident loaded weapons and ammunition in Simon’s Town as it made its way back to Russia,” the ambassador is quoted as saying by the Sunday Times.

Brigety held a media briefing in Pretoria on Thursday, 11 May.

 

source:Did South Africa provide Russia with weapons? The US thinks so (thesouthafrican.com)

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