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South African FM to Summon US Ambassador Over Arms Supply Allegations

© AP Photo / Andrew HarnikSecretary of State Antony Blinken, accompanied by South Africa's Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor, speaks during a news conference after meeting together at the South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation in Pretoria, South Africa, Monday, Aug. 8, 2022. Blinken is on a ten day trip to Cambodia, Philippines, South Africa, Congo, and Rwanda.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken, accompanied by South Africa's Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor, speaks during a news conference after meeting together at the South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation in Pretoria, South Africa, Monday, Aug. 8, 2022. Blinken is on a ten day trip to Cambodia, Philippines, South Africa, Congo, and Rwanda. - Sputnik Africa, 1920, 12.05.2023
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Earlier the US ambassador claimed that South Africa was allegedly supplying weapons to the Russian army. The American side refers to the arrival of a Russian ship at the South African navy base Simon's Town.
The South African Foreign Ministry will summon the US Ambassador to the country, Reuben Brigety, after his statements about allegedly possible arms supplies from South Africa to Russia, Clayson Monyela, representative of the South African foreign ministry stated.
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation announced issuing "a detailed statement after the meeting" with the ambassador.
The ministry also said that its chief, Naledi Pandor, would "also speak to her USA counterpart, Secretary Antony Blinken".
"The National Conventional Arms Control Committee has no record of an approved arms sale by the state to Russia related to the period/incident in question. We therefore welcome the inquiry established by HE President Cyril Ramaphosa to establish the facts and role players," the ministry's statement reads.
On Thursday, Brigety alleged that South Africa was supplying weapons to Russia. The US side referred to the arrival of a Russian ship at the South African Navy base of Simonstown. The ship was at the base from December 6 to 8, 2022.
The same say the US ambassadors' claims were made, South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa responded to a question from the National Assembly about the allegations stating that the matter was "being looked into."
According to a separate statement by the South Africa's presidency, the Lady R issue was discussed during recent meetings between the South African and US representatives "and there was an agreement that an investigation will be allowed to run its course".

"The Ambassador’s remarks undermine the spirit of cooperation and partnership that characterised the recent engagements between US government officials and a South African official delegation led by National Security Special Advisor to the President Dr Sydney Mufumadi," the statement read.

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