South African Defense Minister Insists No Arms Shipped to Russia
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Photographer: Victoria O'Regan/Daily Maverick/Gallo/Getty Images
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South Africa’s defense minister insisted that the country didn’t ship weapons to Russia and welcomed plans for an inquiry into allegations by the US that it did.
US Ambassador to South Africa Reuben Brigety ignited a diplomatic furor on May 11, when he told reporters that he would “bet my life” that armaments were collected by a Russian cargo ship, the Lady R, from the Simon’s Town naval base in Cape Town in December. While South Africa’s government denied the accusation and criticized him, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced an independent inquiry to probe the claims.