Minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele, said measures are being taken to strengthen SAPS and prevent crime. Picture: GCIS
Minister of Communications Mondli Gungubele has denied that South Africa sold arms to Russia.
He said the last time there was a transaction between the two counties was in 2020.
He said President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed an inquiry, chaired by Judge Phineas Mojapelo, to investigate the allegations.
The inquiry was expected to conclude its work soon.
Gungubele, who is the chairperson of the National Conventional Arms Control Committee (NCACC), was replying to a written parliamentary question from Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) member of parliament (MP )Magdalena Hlengwa.
He said American ambassador Reuben Brigety had made up the allegations that a Russian ship had docked in the Western Cape where arms were loaded.
But his statement led to Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor to call Brigety to her office to express her anger.
Pandor also spoke to American Secretary of State Antony Blinken about the matter.
Ramaphosa and members of his Cabinet have denied arms sales to Russia.
Gungubele said South Africa has not authorised the sale of arms to Russia since 2020.
“The NCACC which is the Controlling Authority for Conventional Arms Control in South Africa has not authorised any transfers to Russia since 2020 and this would rule out such transfers being authorised,” said Gungubele.
“Further, the Presidency issued a statement in this regard, stating that given the seriousness of such claims and the negative implications for South Africa’s International standing the President will appoint a Judge (retired) to investigate this matter. This is where we find ourselves regarding whatever claim has been made about the alleged transfers of arms to Russia.”
He added that Judge Mojapelo should be allowed to finish his work.
“It is perhaps prudent that the investigation headed by the judge be granted to run its course in order to pronounce a competent outcome, that would settle the matter with an informed ruling,” said Gungubele.
siyabonga.mkhwanazi@inl.co.za
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