Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Sources from Mehr News Agency: The Americans have requested, through intermediaries from various countries, the continuation of negotiations with Iran
Mehr News Agency, citing sources: The Iranian Foreign Ministry is considering a US request to continue negotiations after they failed to halt Iran's nuclear capabilities
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Five martyrs and several wounded after the occupation targeted a group of civilians in Al-Rimal neighborhood, west of Gaza City
Hamas: The comprehensive failure, military, political, and moral, exposes the falsehoods of the Zionist propaganda machine and reaffirms that our struggle is one of willpower and steadfastness
Hamas: Hamas: The slogans of "crushing defeat" and "total eradication" of the movement have collapsed in the face of explosive tunnels and the Resistance’s ambushes
Hamas: 640 days into the aggression, the occupation has utterly failed to break Gaza’s will or subdue its resistance
Iranian FM spokesperson denies Trump’s claims about Iran requesting a meeting with the US: We have made no such request to the American side
OHCHR: We have concerns that Nasser's arrest is part of efforts to eliminate legitimate forms of Palestinian expression
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Six killed or injured in Israeli drone strike on displaced persons’ tents in Sanabel camp, al-Mawasi, west of Khan Younis
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: Several injuries reported as a result of the drone strike on the displaced persons' tent in the Al-Mawasi area, west of Khan Yunis

US accuses S. Africa of providing Russia with ammo without evidence

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 12 May 2023 10:17
5 Min Read

The US ambassador to South Africa has made public allegations accusing Cape Town of providing Russia with ammunition through a covert naval operation.

  • x
  • The Russian vessel, Lady R, is docked at the Simon's Town Naval Base near Cape Town, South Africa, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022. (AP)
    The Russian vessel, Lady R, is docked at the Simon's Town Naval Base near Cape Town, South Africa, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022. (AP)

The US ambassador to Cape Town, Reuben Brigety, accused South Africa of supplying Russia with munitions in a covert naval operation. According to the Financial Times, the accusations further deepened the foreign policy crisis for South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, as the alleged act depicted a clear tilt toward the Kremlin in the context of the most recent events.

However, the US' public accusations resulted in an angry rebuke from the president, who has played a significant role in establishing South Africa's neutral position on the war in Ukraine, despite US efforts to turn the nation into a key factor to counter its declining hegemony in Africa.

In a statement on Thursday, Brigety declared: “Among the things we noted was the docking of the cargo ship in the Simon’s Town naval base between 6 to 8 December 2022, which we are confident uploaded weapons and ammunition on to that vessel in Simon’s Town as it made its way back to Russia,”

The US argued that the cargo in question was loaded onto the Lady R vessel, which is a Russian vessel subjugated to US sanctions, after it docked at Simon’s Town naval dockyard near Cape Town, earlier in December.

Moreover, Brigety stated that "the arming of the Russians is extremely serious and we do not consider this issue to be resolved," reaffirming that "the arming of Russia by South Africa … is fundamentally unacceptable.”

Read more: Lavrov announces energy plans with S. Africa, discusses naval drills

Ramaphosa: Ship docking is 'public knowledge'

After the US ambassador voiced that Washington considered itself entitled to making claims about what is considered "fundamentally unacceptable" regarding decisions made by another sovereign nation, the South African president expressed that it was "disappointing" that Brigety had “adopted a counterproductive public posture.”

Related News

South Africa slammed over Starlink law amid Musk deal accusations

South Africa to press Trump on trade ties during Washington visit

In a statement, the President said that the public allegations made by Brigety "undermine the spirit of cooperation and partnership that characterized the recent engagements between US government officials and a South African official delegation led by National Security Special Advisor to the President, Dr Sydney Mufumadi."

Then, Ramaphosa explained that the docking of Lady R in South Africa has been "public knowledge" and "While no evidence has been provided to date to support these allegations, the Government has undertaken to institute an independent inquiry to be led by a retired judge."

To be more precise and transparent, the President underscored "the Lady R matter " had already been discussed between South Africa and US officials, "and there was an agreement that an investigation will be allowed to run its course, and that the US intelligence services will provide whatever evidence in their possession."

Most recently, South Africa's ruling party has been clear about its position vis-a-vis the war in Ukraine and has even offered to mediate peace talks while also urging the country to exit the International Criminal Court due to "unfair treatment." 

Russia to remain South Africa's friend amid pressure from West: Pandor

South Africa's International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor said, on March 30th, that her country will not cut ties with Russia as per the wishes of third parties or countries. 

"There are some who wish for us not to have relations with Russia and we made it clear that Russia is a friend [we hope to have] for many years. We cannot become enemies with many countries around the world at the demand of others," Pandor said, while hoping that the two countries remain friends for many years to come. 

Speaking at a South Africa-Russia trade and economy panel, Palendor mentioned that these matters were greatly significant and strategic for both countries as they traverse a "challenging geopolitical terrain" of sanctions.

#SARussiaRelations🇿🇦🤝🇷🇺| Minister Naledi Pandor receives Mr Alexander Kozlov, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation ahead of the 17th Session of the SA-Russia Joint Inter-Governmental Committee on Trade and Economic Cooperation. pic.twitter.com/nj7gUpWyLy

— DIRCO South Africa (@DIRCO_ZA) March 30, 2023

Furthermore, earlier in January this year, Pandor called on the US to review its sanctions due to their impact on unrelated countries, arguing that South Africa has always had an issue with unilateral sanctions on many countries that are unrelated to a conflict and that the fact of imposing sanctions was itself "not very helpful a strategy in resolving problems."

She further pointed out that the approach had not worked for Zimbabwe, Venezuela, or Cuba, and that South Africa might adhere to sanctions where it feels that international or humanitarian law is infringed, "but where we feel that these are merely unilateral impositions and don't have the authority of the United Nations, we don't believe that South Africa is bound by them." 

Read more: South Africa demands Star of Africa return amid King's coronation

  • Pretoria
  • Russia
  • South Africa
  • US
  • war in Ukraine
  • Cyril Ramaphosa
  • Cape Town
  • Reuben Brigety
Russia & NATO

Russia & NATO

As the Draconian Western-led sanctions on Russia exacerbate the economic crisis worldwide, and as Russian troops gain more ground despite the influx of military aid into Ukraine, exposing US direct involvement in bio-labs spread across Eastern Europe and the insurgence of neo-Nazi groups… How will things unfold?

Most Read

Syria demands 1/3 of Golan, Lebanese areas for 'Israel' peace deal

Syria demands 1/3 of Golan, Lebanese areas for 'Israel' normalization

  • MENA
  • 4 Jul 2025
Major ambush in Gaza kills 6 Israeli troops, injures dozens

Major ambush in Gaza kills 5 Israeli troops, injures 14

  • Politics
  • Today
Al-Qassam hits IOF groupings in Khan Younis; ‘tough incident’ reported

3 Israeli soldiers killed by Resistance gunfire in south, north Gaza

  • Palestine
  • 4 Jul 2025
Concrete and rubble fall from a heavily damaged building as Israeli soldiers search for survivors in a residential area hit by a missile fired from Iran, near Tel Aviv, occupied Palestine, Sunday, June 15, 2025 (AP)

'Israel' concealed damage inflicted by Iran in war, report finds

  • Politics
  • 5 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Big beautiful bill's ugly reality for American healthcare
US & Canada

'Big beautiful bill's' ugly reality for American healthcare

Ukrainian Forces struggle to hold Eastern front lines: NYT
Europe

Ukrainian forces struggle to hold eastern frontlines: NYT

Plan proposes transit camps for Gazans ahead of possible relocation
US & Canada

GHF proposed 'transit areas' plan prior to Gaza residents 'relocation'

Lavrov: IAEA will be held accountable for pre-strike Iran assessments
Europe

IAEA to be held accountable for pre-strike Iran assessments: Lavrov

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS