South Africa denies reports of weapons being loaded on board a Russian ship
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The South African authorities denied the information that weapons were loaded onto the Russian ship. The head of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic, Tandi Modise, said that the Russian vessel Lady R in December 2022 did not load any weapons on board at the South African Navy base. It delivered a defense order for the South African forces, the contract for which was concluded back in 2018.
In December 2022, the Lady R vessel docked in South Africa and was at a military base from 6 to 8 December. In May 2023, the US Ambassador to South Africa, Ruben Brighetti, said that the republic was supplying weapons to the Russian army. He claimed that the ship was loaded with weapons and ammunition, after which he returned to Russia. South African authorities said that Brigety’s claims were not supported by any evidence. Subsequently, the South African Foreign Ministry said that after the official protest of the department, the US ambassador admitted that he had crossed the border and apologized.
“We didn’t do anything illegal. […] We ordered and received the shipment,” Modis was quoted as saying by the EWN Reporter. She also said that there was no need to investigate the Lady R vessel, as it was carrying a shipment for the South African armed forces, which was ordered back in 2018.
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