South Africa investigates allegations of arms supply to Russia

The rand and South Africa's 2030 government bond fell immediately after the US announcement, as investors said they were worried that South Africa could face Western sanctions.

The South African government is launching an independent investigation into the allegations, President Cyril Ramaphosa's office said in a statement. Ramaphosa had previously neither confirmed nor denied the incident during a hearing before the South African parliament .

The US ambassador to South Africa, Reuben Brigety, told reporters that the US believes the Russian ship was supplied with weapons and ammunition after docking in South Africa last December.

“The Russian cargo ship Lady R docked at Simon’s Town between December 6 and December 8, 2022. We are confident that the ship was carrying a shipment of weapons, ammunition… when it returned to Russia,” Brigety said.

In this regard, the South African President's Office said in a statement: "The US Ambassador's remarks undermine the spirit of cooperation and partnership that characterizes the US-South Africa relationship." South Africa still has good relations with Russia, even after the war in Ukraine.

Hoang Nam (according to Al Jazeera, Reuters)