US accuses South Africa of having supplied weapons to Russia

Johannesburg, South Africa (AFP):

The US envoy to South Africa on Thursday accused the country of having covertly provided arms to Russia despite its professed neutrality in the Ukraine war, local media said.

Ambassador Reuben Brigety told a media briefing the US was “confident” weapons and ammunition had been loaded onto a Russian freighter that docked at a Cape Town naval base in December.

“The arming of the Russians is extremely serious, and we do not consider this issue to be resolved, and we would like (South Africa to start) practising its non-alignment policy,” Brigety was quoted as saying.

The US embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the remarks, which were confirmed to AFP by a source at the meeting.

South Africa has refused to condemn the invasion of Ukraine, which has largely isolated Moscow on the international stage.

The country — an African powerhouse that also wields moral clout for its victory over apartheid — says it wants to stay neutral, and champions dialogue as the means to end the conflict.