DIRCO summons US Ambassador Reuben Brigety. Image: U.S. EMBASSY & CONSULATES IN SOUTH AFRICA
US government ‘furious’ with Brigety over Russia arms supply allegations – reports
According to reports, Brigety made the ‘overstated’ controversial arms supply allegations without permission from his superiors.
DIRCO summons US Ambassador Reuben Brigety. Image: U.S. EMBASSY & CONSULATES IN SOUTH AFRICA
According to reports, the US ambassador to South Africa, Reuben Brigety, did not have permission from those above to make the assertions he did earlier in May. He said he was willing to bet his life that South Africa provided arms and ammunition to Russia via the Lady R ship.
READ: Did South Africa provide Russia with weapons? The US thinks so
Accusations Overstated and Damaging to US Interests, Officials Claim
According to the US outlet Politico, the Biden Administration is furious with Brigety over the allegations he made.
Officials told the publication that the accusations were overstated and may have damaged US interests in the long run.
READ: Russian Embassy hits back at US Ambassador’s claims
Locally, the Mail and Guardian reported on Friday, 2 June, that DIRCO Minister Naledi Pandor learned that Brigety’s bombshell press conference was not sanctioned by his government during a telephone call with Washington.
“Brigety is now facing a reprimand from his government, the sources told the Mail & Guardian,” wrote the newspaper.
READ: Rand takes a hit after US accuses SA of arming Russia
Diplomatic fallout
After the allegations were made, Pandor summoned Brigety. DIRCO insists he apologised during the meeting. However, the ambassador’s public statement on the matter said he was grateful for the opportunity to “correct any misimpressions left by my public remarks.”
Some South African Ministers have vehemently denied the allegations. President Cyril Ramaphosa recently appointed a three-person independent panel to investigate the matter.
READ: Ramaphosa appoints three-person panel to investigate Lady R controversy
The Lady R, a sanctioned Russian vessel, docked at the Simon’s Town naval base from 6 to 8 December. Brigety alleges weapons were loaded during this period.
Leader of the opposition, John Steenhuisen, said the DA has suspected that the government supplied weapons to Russia for the past 18 months. He made these comments in a BBC HARDTalk episode that aired recently.
