Cape Town – South African Minister of Defence and Military Thandi Modise has faced backlash from the Democratic Alliance (DA) after she reportedly attended a cocktail function at the home of Russian ambassador to SA, Ilya Rogachev, on the day Russia invaded Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a “special military operation” in Ukraine last week after formally recognising two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine, saying that there was a need to demilitarise the country.
The Russian attack on Ukraine killed dozens, as airstrikes hit military installations and ground forces moved in from the north, south, and east of Ukraine.
Modise’s attendance at the cocktail party raised eyebrows and brought about confusion.
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However, according to her office, the event was integral to the fulfilment of defence international affairs, of which the defence establishment has several with many other countries, Times Live reported.
“We confirm that [Modise], her special adviser, Tsepe Motumi, and the chief of the SA National Defence Force, Gen Rudzani Maphwanya, attended the Russian Motherland Defender’s Day on the said date, as invited by the Russian ambassador.
“This is integral to the fulfilment of defence international affairs, of which the defence establishment has several with many other countries. The Russian Motherland and Defender’s Day is an annual event to which the diplomatic, defence and business communities are always invited,” the report quoted Modise’s spokesperson Cornelius Monama as saying.
In particular, Modise was chastised by the Democratic Alliance (DA).
“At a time when the world has chosen to stand united in its condemnation of Russi’s war declaration on a sovereign nation – when the staunchest Putin allies such as the Hungarian Prime Minister and the Czech President have turned against him, and when even China felt it had to abstain from a UN Security Council vote rather than support Russia – our own ANC government could not scramble fast enough to the wrong side of history.
“The grotesqueness of this gesture cannot be overstated. Imagine raising a glass to the might of the German army at the German embassy on the day that Hitler invaded Poland,” said the DA in a statement.
Modise’s office refused to comment on the DA’s comments.
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Compiled by Sinothando Siyolo
