A soldier of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) is seen during a patrol in the Johannesburg CBD, on March 27, 2020. South Africa came under a nationwide military-patrolled lockdown on March 27, 2020, joining other African countries imposing strict curfews and shutdowns in an attempt to halt the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus across the continent. / AFP / MARCO LONGARI
SANDF commander in Moscow to discuss military cooperation with Russia
The SANDF visit comes amid US allegations that South Africa has supplied arms to Russia, which is at war with Ukraine.
A soldier of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) is seen during a patrol in the Johannesburg CBD, on March 27, 2020. South Africa came under a nationwide military-patrolled lockdown on March 27, 2020, joining other African countries imposing strict curfews and shutdowns in an attempt to halt the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus across the continent. / AFP / MARCO LONGARI
According to Russian news agencies quoting the country’s Ministry of Defence, the commander of the South Africa National Defence Force’s (SANDF) ground forces is in the Russian capital of Moscow.
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SANDF ground forces chief visits Russia amid US allegations of arms supply
AFP reported Lieutenant-General Lawrence Mbatha is leading a delegation to discuss “issues relating to military cooperation and interaction” with his Russian counterparts.
Mbatha visited “educational institution of the ground forces and enterprises of the military-industrial complex” in Russia, and there was an agreement to further increase cooperation between the ground force of the nations in various fields.
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The visit comes on the heels of the fallout last week when US Ambassador to South Africa, Reuben Brigety, accused the country of supplying arms to Russia.
Ramaphosa responded to the allegations and said a retired judge would be appointed to investigate the claim. The US welcomed the probe, and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) said Brigety apologised for the incident.
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Ramaphosa’s government walks a tightrope as it seeks to balance relations with Russia and the US
On Monday, Ramaphosa, in his weekly newsletter, said South Africa would not be drawn into “a contest between global powers” over the conflict in Ukraine despite the “extraordinary pressure” to pick a side.”
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“We do not accept that our non-aligned position favours Russia above other countries. Nor do we accept that it should imperil our relations with other countries,” said Ramaphosa.
South Africa has maintained that it is maintaining a neutral position and wants a peaceful end to the fighting. However, critics have accused Pretoria of having too cosy a relationship with Moscow.
Additional reporting by AFP.
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