President Ramaphosa Says No Evidence Found of Arms Transfers from South Africa to Russia

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. (Wikimedia Commons/Pal layoffcio do Plan

JAKARTA - South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Sunday that an independent investigation held had found no evidence of a Russian ship collecting weapons from his country late last year, before transporting them back to the country at war with Ukraine.

News of the shipment began when United States Ambassador to South Africa Reuben Brigety told local journalists last May that the Russian cargo ship, Lady R, had loaded weapons at a naval base near Cape Town in December 2022.

The accusations raise questions about South Africa's self-styled impartiality and neutrality towards Russia's war in Ukraine, as well as concerns about possible Western sanctions.

In a speech, President Ramaphosa said the allegations were having a damaging impact on South Africa's economy and its standing in the world.

"The panel found that there is no evidence to support the claim that the ship was transporting weapons from South Africa destined for Russia," said President Ramaphosa, as reported by Reuters, September 4.

"No permits have been issued for arms exports and no arms have been exported," stressed President Ramaphosa.

President Ramaphosa further said that the ship had docked at the base to deliver equipment that had been ordered for the South African National Defense Force in 2018 by the South African arms procurement company, Armscor.

However, he said he could not reveal details of the equipment being dropped, as it could jeopardize important military operations and endanger the lives of South African soldiers.

"When all things are considered, not a single allegation made about arms supplies to Russia has been proven to be true," said President Ramaphosa.

"None of the people making these allegations have been able to provide any evidence to support the claims that have been leveled against our country," he said.

When the allegations were made, South African officials quickly rejected the claims, while President Ramaphosa launched an independent investigation led by a retired judge.