Cape Town – The Democratic Alliance has launched an online petition for the South African government to take a “decisive stand” on the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
President Vladimir Putin recently ordered a “special military operation” in Ukraine 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.
In a statement, the DA’s shadow minister of international relations and cooperation, Darren Bergman said: “Since the invasion, 10 days ago, the ANC government has flip-flopped on its stance multiple times. Government didn’t want to take a stand, then the Department for International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) – rightly – condemned the invasion, after which President Cyril Ramaphosa lambasted DIRCO Minister Naledi Pandor’s unmeasured stance.”
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Bergman added: Mere hours later, three ANC government representatives – Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Thandi Modise, Chief of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) General Rudzani Maphwanya, and the Director-General of the Department of Defence and Military Veterans’ special advisor Tsepe Motumi – attended a cocktail party hosted by the Russian ambassador to South Africa, Ilya Rogachev, and the Russian Defence Attaché, Colonel Dmitriy Priimachuck.
“And to add insult to injury, South Africa also abstained from the United Nations (UN) General Assembly’s vote to condemn the invasion.”
The DA said in its petition that it wanted South Africa to ensure that Russia was held accountable to the Geneva convention and international law.
It also wanted South Africa to make sure that Russia “does not use any weaponry that violates the Lieber Code”.
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The DA said that South Africa must not assist “in facilitating or hosting any monies, transactions or business deals that could counter the sanctions that have been introduced by the international community as measures to bring about an immediate withdrawal”.
Bergman said: “Unless South Africa does all it can to condemn the invasion and urge Russia to withdraw, it will be complicit in this needless war and have the blood of multitudes on its hands.
“Let’s be clear, the Russian invasion of Ukraine cannot go unchallenged. And the ANC government cannot try to maintain a neutral position. There will be no neutrality in this war.”
Over the weekend, the Nelson Mandela Foundation called on South Africa to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, saying that the government should call for a ceasefire in the battle.
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In a statement, the foundation said it urged “the South African government to show leadership at this critical moment and press for a ceasefire so that rigorous negotiations on the future can be mapped out. We have indicated to the government our availability to assist in this regard.
“A lesson to be relearned is that whether we are talking about Ukraine or about the many other crises around the world, when the rule of law is cast aside and strategies of violence adopted, the resulting misery is far more devastating among weak and vulnerable countries. It is imperative that channels for peacemaking, negotiation and dialogue be pursued urgently and relentlessly”.
The Germany Embassy in South Africa also took to Twitter and wrote:
“Sorry, but we can’t stay silent on this one, it’s just far too cynical. What Russia is doing in Ukraine is slaughtering innocent children, women and men for its own gain. It’s definitely not “fighting Nazism”. Shame on anyone who’s falling for this. (Sadly, we’re kinda experts on Nazism.).”
Sorry, but we can’t stay silent on this one, it’s just far too cynical. What ?? is doing in ?? is slaughtering innocent children, women and men for its own gain. It’s definitely not “fighting Nazism”. Shame on anyone who’s falling for this. (Sadly, we’re kinda experts on Nazism.)
— Germany in SA (@GermanEmbassySA) March 5, 2022
The Germany statement was in response to a tweet by the Russian Embassy in South Africa in which it thanked South Africans for their support.
“We have received a great number of letters of solidarity from South Africans, both individuals and organisations. We appreciate your support and glad you decided to stand with us today, when Russia, like 80 years ago, is fighting Nazism in Ukraine,” said the embassy.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
