South African President Cyril Ramaphosa says an unbiased inquiry has discovered “no proof” for claims that his nation equipped weapons to Russia.
Based on worldwide media experiences, america ambassador to South Africa, Reuben Brigety, had claimed the Russian ship Girl R was loaded with arms and ammunition at a naval base close to Cape City final December.
The inquiry discovered that the Russian cargo ship as an alternative delivered armaments that had been ordered for the South African Nationwide Defence Pressure in 2018.
Ramaphosa mentioned there was no proof that any arms had been exported primarily based on interviews with 50 folks and a overview of greater than 100 paperwork.
“When all issues are thought of, not one of the allegations made in regards to the provide of weapons to Russia have been confirmed to be true,” Ramaphosa mentioned on Sunday.
“Not one of the individuals who made these allegations may present any proof to assist the claims that had been levelled towards our nation.”
Ramaphosa mentioned the allegation had “had a most damaging impact on our foreign money, our financial system, and our standing on the earth, in truth, it tarnished our picture”.
Ramaphosa mentioned he would solely be releasing an government abstract of the report as a consequence of safety issues.
The South African chief ordered an inquiry led by a retired decide after the US ambassador instructed a media briefing in Could that he was “assured” weapons and ammunition had been loaded onto a vessel certain for Russia.
South Africa’s overseas ministry later mentioned that Brigety had apologised for his feedback and the US diplomat subsequently wrote on social media that he was grateful for the chance to “appropriate any misimpressions left by my public remarks”.
South Africa, whose ruling African Nationwide Congress has historic ties to the Soviet Union, has maintained pleasant relations with Russia since Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, prompting criticism from the US and different Western international locations.
Beneath Ramaphosa, the nation has hosted drills with the Russian Navy and declined to affix Western condemnation of Moscow or sanctions towards the Russian financial system.
Final month, Ramaphosa hosted Russia and different main growing economies, together with China and India, for the BRICS summit in Johannesburg.
