Russia weapons Lady R
Russian cargo ship Lady R docked at Simon’s Town. Image: Facebook/Lorraine Goddard Bradbury.

Home » The US thinks SA provided Russia with weapons

The US thinks SA provided Russia with weapons

President Cyril Ramaphosa has acknowledged reports that the United States government believes South Africa provided Russia with weapons. READ: Cold front: Disruptive rain and potential flooding expected in Eastern Cape 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 […]

By Hennely Nel
11-05-23 17:17
in Eish!
Russia weapons Lady R
Russian cargo ship Lady R docked at Simon’s Town. Image: Facebook/Lorraine Goddard Bradbury.

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

READ: Cold front: Disruptive rain and potential flooding expected in Eastern Cape

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: Gun laws: Spotlight on KZN after teen accidentally killed his brother

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.

READ: Mossel Bay crash: Three children, three women dead

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.

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This article was originally published by STORM SIMPSON.

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