T Mmutle

The ANC welcomes the outcomes of an independent investigation into the docking of the Lady R vessel at the Simon’s Town Naval Base in the Western Cape, which has found no evidence to support allegations that South Africa supplied weapons to Russia during the current Ukraine-Russia conflict.

The investigation was necessitated by allegations of a serious nature that were levelled against the South African Government, SANDF, and Armscor by some opposition leaders and foreign nations agencies and their representatives who seek to deliberately falsify the South African standing and commitment in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

The allegations levelled against our country were deliberate and carefully orchestrated to tarnish the image of our country and our standing in the world. Just because South Africa refused to take sides in the war between Russia and Ukraine, and also refused to break its commitment to its policy of resolving conflicts through peaceful means and dialogue.  

Unfortunately for the opposition the panel report exonerated the country, and found no evidence to support the claim that the ship transported weapons from South Africa destined for Russia, moreover, even those who made these allegations could not provide any evidence to support their claims.

The ANC is satisfied that the report clarifies and dismisses these unfortunate and unfounded allegations and will assist in restoring our dented image and standing in the world fora. Thus the ANC supports the clarion call that those who made the allegations must make a public apology to the country.

I thank you