President Cyril Ramaphosa has stated that an impartial investigation has determined that South Africa did not provide weapons to Russia. The inquiry dismissed assertions made by the US ambassador to South Africa that a Russian vessel had been loaded with ammunition and arms in Cape Town in December of last year.

These accusations had cast doubt on South Africa's claimed neutrality in the Ukraine conflict. Mr. Ramaphosa also noted that these allegations had harmed the nation's currency and reputation.

"The panel found that there was no evidence to support the claim that the ship transported weapons from South Africa destined for Russia," the president said in a televised address to the nation on Sunday.

"No permit was issued for the export of arms and no arms were exported."

Instead of the inquiry's conclusion, it was determined that the Russian cargo ship transported a shipment of weapons from Russia to South Africa, which had been ordered in 2018.

Ambassador Reuben Brigety's statements related to Lady R's arrival at the Simon's Town naval base between December 6 and 8, 2022.

During a media briefing in Pretoria in May, he expressed confidence that the vessel had been loaded with weapons and ammunition on its return journey to Russia.

The following day, South Africa's foreign ministry announced that Mr. Brigety had issued an unreserved apology for his assertions.

After the meeting, Mr. Brigety took to social media to express his gratitude for the opportunity to clarify any misconceptions arising from his public statements.

In the aftermath of Mr. Brigety's remarks, Mr. Ramaphosa initiated an independent inquiry led by a judge.
"None of the persons who made these allegations could provide any evidence to support the claims that had been leveled against our country," Mr. Ramaphosa said following the inquiry's conclusion.

The president will only be releasing an executive summary of the report, for security reasons.

The inquiry had visited the naval base, heard from almost 50 people, and reviewed more than 100 documents, Mr Ramaphosa added.

South Africa has sought to maintain friendly relations with Russia since its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, drawing criticism from the US and other Western nations.

It is one of only a handful of nations that has abstained from a number of UN votes on the conflict, refusing to publicly condemn Russia on the matter.

The US has previously raised concerns about joint naval exercises between Russia and South Africa.

Too bad

I see.