Cape Town – South Africa has not authorised the sale of ammunition to Russia since 2020, making recent weapon transfers to Russia unlikely to be authorised, according to Digital Communications Minister Mondli Gungubele.
Gungubele, who also chairs the National Conventional Arms Control Committee, was replying to a written parliamentary question from Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) member of parliament (MP )Magdalena Hlengwa.
“The NCACC which is the Controlling Authority for Conventional Arms Control in South Africa has not authorised any transfers to Russia since 2020 and this would rule out such transfers being authorised,” said Gungubele.
“Further, the Presidency issued a statement in this regard, stating that given the seriousness of such claims and the negative implications for South Africa’s International standing the President will appoint a Judge (retired) to investigate this matter. This is where we find ourselves regarding whatever claim has been made about the alleged transfers of arms to Russia,” IOL quoted Hlengwa as saying.
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His remarks came in response to claims by the US Ambassador to South Africa that a Russian vessel, Lady R, loaded arms from South Africa destined for Russia.
The South African government denied the claims and stated that no arms transfers to Russia had been authorized.
President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed a three-person panel, led by retired Judge Phineas Mojapelo, to investigate the matter, and the panel has been given six weeks to conclude its investigation.
Gungubele said that Judge Mojapelo should be allowed to finish his work.
“It is perhaps prudent that the investigation headed by the judge be granted to run its course in order to pronounce a competent outcome, that would settle the matter with an informed ruling,” he said.
No evidence of arms being loaded onto Lady R has been submitted to the inquiry, New24 reported.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
