Iran Press/ Africa: South Africa on Friday 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 Friday.
Ambassador Reuben Brigety told reporters Thursday 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.
