South Africa Mum on Russia Claims

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SOUTH AFRICA – The United States said it had serious concerns about the docking of a sanctioned Russian cargo vessel, The Lady R, at a South African Naval Port in Cape Town last year.

The U.S. ambassador to South Africa, Reuben Brigety, told journalists that Washington was confident the Russian vessel had uploaded weapons and ammunition from South Africa in December.

In a statement, the president’s office said the government is launching an independent inquiry led by a retired judge into the alleged arms shipment.

In parliament, President Cyril Ramaphosa neither confirmed nor denied the claim but assured the house the government is looking into the report.