Cape Town – The South African government has asserted that it maintains good relations with the United States despite false narratives suggesting otherwise.
Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, said on Friday that both countries regularly exchange intelligence information.
She made the remarks while delivering the State Security budget to a mini-plenary of the National Assembly on Friday
The recent allegation by US Ambassador to South Africa, Reuben Brigety, that Pretoria sold arms to Russia for its invasion of Ukraine caused diplomatic tensions. However, Brigety was compelled to apologise.
Ntshavheni reiterated that the impression of South Africa being anti-US is untrue, highlighting cooperation agreements between the two countries in intelligence training, cyber security, and counter-terrorism.
“We have cooperation agreements with the USA on areas of intelligence training, cyber security, counter-terrorism amongst others,” EWN quoted Ntshavheni as saying.
“We will continue to pursue peace and end of the war between Russia and Ukraine “#keepingsouthafricasafe#Budget2023 #keepingsouthafricasafe pic.twitter.com/My0rvtFSql
— Khumbudzo Ntshavheni (@Khu_Ntshavheni) May 19, 2023
She also emphasised that genuine intelligence is shared through proper channels. The minister denounced the notion that the government has adopted an anti-US stance as false and misleading.
“We must also assure South Africans that genuine intelligence from South Africa or the USA in each other’s territories is shared through proper channels and at all material times. South Africans must remember that the US remains South Africa’s largest trading partner, and we value that relationship highly,” Ntshavheni said, according to News24.
She added: “South Africa will continue to support the efforts to end the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and as a country and global player, we believe that such a conflict should be ended through peaceful negotiations and engagement, and not through South Africa taking sides.”
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Picture: Twitter/@Khu_Ntshavheni
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
