The commander of South Africa’s ground forces, Lieutenant General Lawrence Mbatha, is currently in Moscow for talks, as reported by Russian news agencies on Monday. This visit comes just days after the United States accused Pretoria of secretly supplying weapons to Russia.
According to the Russian defense ministry, Mbatha is leading a delegation to discuss various aspects of military cooperation and interaction with their Russian counterparts. The visit aims to strengthen the ties between the two countries in the military sphere.
Last Thursday, the US ambassador to Pretoria, Reuben Brigety, stated that the United States believed a Russian cargo ship that docked at a Cape Town naval base in December was loaded with weapons and ammunition. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has acknowledged the issue and assured that it is being investigated. He expressed his intention to provide more information on the matter in due course.
The United States has welcomed South Africa’s commitment to investigate the allegations, as they raise concerns about the potential breach of international agreements.
South Africa has taken a neutral stance on the conflict in Ukraine, which has led to its isolation by many countries worldwide. The nation, known for its triumph over apartheid and its significant influence, asserts its desire to remain impartial. However, critics argue that recent incidents indicate a leaning towards Russia.
In the wake of the scandal, Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke with President Ramaphosa over the phone on Friday. The leaders agreed to strengthen mutually beneficial ties between their countries, as stated by the Kremlin.
On Monday, President Cyril Ramaphosa reiterated that South Africa would not be drawn into a contest between global powers concerning Ukraine. Despite facing considerable pressure to take sides, he emphasized that the country’s non-aligned position does not favor Russia above other nations. He also stated that South Africa’s relations with other countries should not be jeopardized.
President Ramaphosa affirmed his support for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine, underscoring Pretoria’s commitment to finding diplomatic solutions.
During his visit to Moscow, Lieutenant General Lawrence Mbatha reportedly visited educational institutions of the Russian ground forces and military-industrial enterprises, according to Russian news agency Interfax. The visit resulted in agreements to further enhance cooperation between the ground forces of South Africa and Russia in various fields.
Inquiries regarding Mbatha’s trip to Moscow were directed to the military by a spokesperson for the South African defense ministry. The South African Defense Force (SANDF) has not responded to a request for comment at the time of writing.