The United States expressed grave concern over the appearance of a Russian cargo ship under sanctions at a South African naval port last December and conveyed this concern to a number of South African officials.
State Department spokesman Vedant Patel told reporters Thursday.
Earlier today, the US Ambassador to South Africa said he was confident that while in Simons Town between December 6 and 8, 2022, a Russian ship had loaded weapons, a possible violation of the neutrality declared by Pretoria in the context of the war launched by Russia against Ukraine.
Freighter LADY R in the port of Simons Town. December 7, 2022
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa neither confirmed nor denied the fact of the deliveries. According to him, the country’s leaders are studying this issue. Ramaphosa said this when one of the opposition leaders asked him the relevant question during a parliament meeting.
US Ambassador to South Africa Ruben Brighetti told local reporters during a Thursday briefing that Washington was certain a Russian ship loaded arms and ammunition in South Africa in December.
“Among what we have noted is the appearance of the Russian freighter LADY R at Simons Town between 6 and 8 December 2022, which we are sure loaded with arms and ammunition…as it returned in Russia,” Brighetti said, describing it as actions “not like those of a neutral country.”
Washington has repeatedly warned countries against providing material support to Russia, warning that those who do so could be denied access to the world’s most important markets.
Brighetti’s remarks came after a high-ranking South African delegation visited the United States. The visit came after Washington expressed concern over South Africa’s relationship with Russia.
“This matter is under consideration and over time we will have something to report,” Ramaphosa said, speaking in parliament.
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