South Africa summons US envoy over claims it supplied weapons to Russia

South Africa on May 12 summoned the US ambassador to the country for a meeting following remarks he made Thursday claiming South Africa supplied weapons to Russia in December last year, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) said.

Clayson Monyela, a spokesman for DIRCO, said in a statement posted on Twitter that South Africa’s Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor will also speak to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on May 12, Anadolu Agency reports.

Ambassador Reuben Brigety told reporters that the US was convinced South Africa had supplied arms to the Russian army despite the country claiming to be neutral.

"Among the things we noted was the docking of the (Russian) cargo ship in the Simon's Town naval base between Dec. 6 and 8, 2022, which we are confident uploaded weapons and ammunition onto that vessel as it made its way back to Russia," said Brigety.

DIRCO said the National Conventional Arms Control Committee has no record of an approved arms sale by the state to Russia related to the period in question.

The South African Presidency late Thursday issued a statement saying it has noted with concern the remarks attributed to the US envoy and will establish an independent inquiry led by a retired judge to probe allegations by the US ambassador.

Brigety told reporters that arming Moscow is a big concern for Washington, which sees South Africa as an important partner.

He said the issue was one of the concerns raised by senior American officials during a high-level South African delegation's recent visit to the US.

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office said Brigety’s remarks undermine the spirit of cooperation and partnership that characterized the recent engagements between US government officials and the South African official delegation to the US.

The presidency further said during the recent engagements between the US and South Africa, the matter of the Lady R (Russian Ship) was discussed, and there was an agreement that an investigation will be allowed to run its course.

They also agreed that US intelligence services will provide whatever evidence they have in their possession.

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