Russia: South Africa’s ground forces commander recently travelled to Moscow for discussions with Russian counterparts, following accusations from Washington that South Africa had clandestinely supplied weapons to Russia.

In response to recent developments, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) clarified on 15th May 2023 that the meeting between the commander of the ground forces and their Russian counterparts had been prearranged well in advance. The SANDF stated that it was part of a longstanding arrangement and characterized the visit as a goodwill gesture, extended at the invitation of the Russian army.

According to a statement released by the SANDF, they confirmed Lieutenant-General Mr. Lawrence Mbatha, the Chief of the SA Army, is currently in Moscow for a bilateral meeting between the two military establishments.

The SA National Defence Force Media Statement II Monday, 15 May 2023 II The Chief of the SA Army Official Visit to Russia.

Media Statement by Director Defence Corporate Communication.#SANDF#DCCMediaLiaison pic.twitter.com/HTGFgp0Rkn

— SA National Defence Force (@SANDF_ZA) May 16, 2023

Earlier Russian news agencies reported that Lieutenant-General Mr. Lawrence Mbatha was leading a delegation to Moscow, engaging in discussions focused on military cooperation and interaction. The reports highlighted Mr. Mbatha’s visits to educational institutions of the ground forces and enterprises within Russia’s military-industrial complex.

In a statement last week, Mr. Reuben Brigety, the United States Ambassador to Pretoria, expressed the belief that weapons and ammunition were secretly loaded onto a Russian freighter that arrived at a Cape Town naval base in December.

Mr. Brigety stated with confidence that a Russian vessel, subject to US sanctions, had indeed received weapons from the Simon’s Town base in December 2022. This transfer of arms was seen as contradicting Pretoria’s position of neutrality in Russia’s conflict with Ukraine.

South African officials promptly dismissed the assertions put forth by the US ambassador, who raised concerns about South Africa’s stated policy of non-alignment and neutrality concerning Russia’s conflict in Ukraine. The officials rejected the claims and reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining a neutral stance.