US ambassador to South Africa apologizes for false accusations

During a press conference on Thursday, May 11, 2023, US Ambassador to South Africa Reuben Brigety accused South Africa of supplying Russia with weapons and ammunition in December when sanctioned Russian ship Lady R was docked at Simon’s Town Naval base in early December. According to AP, without giving evidence, Brigety claimed, “We (the US) are confident that weapons were loaded into that vessel, and I would bet my life on the accuracy of that assertion.” According to the Nation, “The [South African] National Conventional Arms Control Committee, which monitors and certifies all arms trade in and out of South Africa, says no arms or ammunition have been sold to Russia from South Africa.” As per the Nation, “a spokesman for the presidency said on Friday that Washington would not be allowed to dictate South Africa’s relations with other countries, and that US ambassador Reuben Brigety would receive a démarche—a diplomatic reprimand of the highest order.” When the US embassy in South Africa was contacted by the Nation to clarify Brigety’s accusation, there was no immediate response. On Friday, South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor summoned Brigety over the allegations made the previous day. According to AP, “South African President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed an investigation was underway into the December visit by the Russian cargo ship Lady R. Before Brigety went public, US and South African officials had agreed behind the scenes that the investigation should be allowed to play out and would incorporate any evidence US intelligence officials shared.” According to the BBC, “writing on social media after meeting the foreign ministry, Brigety said he was ‘grateful for the opportunity to . . . correct any misimpressions left by my public remarks.” As a member of the BRICS, South Africa has remained neutral on the war in Ukraine and has therefore abstained from voting on the conflict at the UN.