S Africa army chief visits Moscow in wake of US weapons claim

The commander of South Africa’s ground forces has visited Moscow for talks with Russian counterparts just days after Washington accused South Africa of secretly supplying arms to Russia.

The South African National Defense Force (SANDF) said on Monday the meeting was “planned well in advance” as part of “a long-term arrangement” and was a “goodwill visit” at the invitation of the Russian military.

In a statement, SANDF said it “confirms that the Chief of the SA Army, Lieutenant General Lawrence Mbatha, is in Moscow for bilateral talks between the two military establishments”.

“It should be noted that South Africa has military-to-military bilateral relations with various countries on the continent and beyond,” it said. “The SANDF receives numerous military delegations in the country and sends its own delegations to other countries to discuss matters of mutual interest.”

Media statement of the SA National Defense Force II Monday, May 15, 2023 II The head of the SA army Official visit to Russia.

Media statement by Director of Defense Corporate Communication.#SANDF#DCCMediaLiaison pic.twitter.com/HTGFgp0Rkn

— SA National Defense Force (@SANDF_ZA) May 16, 2023

Russian news agencies reported earlier on Monday that Mbatha led a delegation that discussed “issues related to military cooperation and interaction”. Mbatha had visited “educational institutions of the ground forces and enterprises of the military-industrial complex” of Russia, the agencies said.

“Agreements have been made to further strengthen cooperation between ground forces in various areas,” the Russian news agency Interfax said.

Last week, the US ambassador to Pretoria, Reuben Brigety, said the US believed weapons and ammunition were loaded onto a Russian freighter that docked at a naval base in Cape Town in December.

Brigety said he was convinced a Russian ship under US sanctions had taken weapons aboard from the Simon’s Town base in December, suggesting the transfer was inconsistent with Pretoria’s stance of neutrality in Russia’s war against Ukraine.

South African officials were quick to dismiss claims from the US ambassador, who also said senior US officials had “deep concerns” about South Africa’s professed policy of nonalignment and neutrality over Russia’s war in Ukraine.

The allegations of secret arms transfers to Russia provoked a furious response from South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who did not deny the charges but said an investigation into the matter would be launched.

Several ministers, including the one responsible for arms control and the communications minister, as well as a spokesman for the foreign ministry, have said South Africa did not approve any arms shipments to Russia in December.

Brigety was summoned to a meeting with South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor on Friday and he apologized “unreservedly” to the government and people of South Africa, according to a statement from the Foreign Office.

“I was grateful for the opportunity to speak with Secretary of State Pandor… and correct any misrepresentations of my public remarks,” Brigety said in a tweet that did not confirm whether he had apologized.

I was grateful for the opportunity to speak with Secretary of State Pandor this evening and correct any misrepresentations of my public remarks. In our conversation, I reaffirmed the strong partnership between our two countries and the important agenda that our presidents have given us.

— Ambassador Reuben Brigety (@USAmbRSA) May 12, 2023

South Africa, which has abstained from voting on UN resolutions on Russia’s war in Ukraine, says it is impartial. Western countries, however, consider it one of Moscow’s closest allies on the continent.

South Africa refuses to condemn Russia’s war against Ukraine and says it wants to remain neutral.

Following the US claims, Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke to Ramaphosa by phone, where both leaders reportedly agreed to “intensify mutually beneficial ties,” according to the Kremlin.

Ramaphosa reiterated on Monday that his country would not be involved in “a contest between world powers” over Ukraine, despite having faced “extraordinary pressure” to take sides.

Ramaphosa also hinted on Monday that Putin would visit South Africa for a meeting of BRICS economic bloc leaders in August. The Kremlin has not confirmed that Putin intends to attend the BRICS summit.

Such a trip would ensnare South Africa in another diplomatic mess, as the country is a signatory to the treaty that created the International Criminal Court, which issued an arrest warrant against Putin in March for alleged war crimes involving the abduction of children from Ukraine.

Since the indictment, Putin has traveled infrequently and only to countries that are close allies of Russia. Countries party to the treaty would be obliged to arrest the Russian leader.