South African officials disputed on Friday US charges that a sanctioned Russian ship obtained weaponry from a military station in Cape Town late last year, a move that investors fear might result in sanctions.
The US ambassador to South Africa said on Thursday that he believes a Russian ship uploaded weaponry from the Simon’s Town station in December, meaning that Pretoria’s neutrality in the Ukraine crisis was broken.
South Africa’s naval exercises with Russia and China this year, as well as Sergei Lavrov’s visit, have alarmed Western authorities.
South Africa, one of Russia’s closest allies on a continent split apart by its February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, maintains its neutrality and has refused to vote on United Nations resolutions.
According to the Kremlin, Russian President Vladimir Putin talked with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in Ukraine on Friday.
The Ramaphosa government said on Thursday that a retired judge would look at the issue. An arms control minister and a foreign ministry spokesperson confirmed on Friday that the government had not sanctioned any weapon transfers to Russia in December.
“We didn’t approve any arms to Russia,… it wasn’t sanctioned or approved by us,” Communications Minister Mondli Gungubele said on 702 radio.
South Africa’s military department said Friday that it would provide its side of the story to the government’s probe.
We have strongly warned countries not to support Russia’s war
Clayson Monyela, a spokeswoman for South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), tweeted that his department will meet with US Ambassador Reuben Brigety, and Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor would call with Secretary of State Antony Blinken later in the day.
Neither Gungubele nor Monyela verified the departure of an unauthorized shipment from South Africa. Monyela declined to comment.
On Friday, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby declined to comment on South Africa’s claims but reiterated the administration’s opposition to any country helping Russia’s military campaign.
We have strongly warned countries not to support Russia’s war. “Nobody should make it easier for Mr. Putin to kill innocent Ukrainian people,” Kirby cautioned.
He declined to say if the shipment was private or not authorized by the South African government.
Following her departure from Simon’s Town, the “Lady R” proceeded north to Mozambique, pausing in Beira from January 7 to 11 before continuing to Port Sudan on the Red Sea.
On February 16, it touched down in Novorossiysk, Russia.
The US sanctioned Transmorflot LLC and the Lady R in May 2022 because they “transport weapons for the (Russian government).”
FEAR OF SANCTIONS
Washington has threatened to exclude Russia-supporting countries from entering US markets.
The Western Cape, an important exporter and tourist destination was concerned about losing markets for oranges, macadamia nuts, and wine.
“Our links with the United States generate billions of rand,” added province finance minister Mireille Wenger, echoing Busa’s worries. “It makes no economic sense to even consider jeopardizing the relationship.”
US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen promised in January that Russia sanctions violators will be dealt with “quickly and harshly.”
The rand is already under pressure due to a power struggle and the arms crisis. It dropped to an all-time low early Friday before rebounding.
