https://en.sputniknews.africa/20230927/president-ramaphosa-acted-within-the-law-in-lady-r-incident-spokesman-says--1062399539.html
President Ramaphosa Acted Within the Law in Lady R Incident, Spokesman Says
President Ramaphosa Acted Within the Law in Lady R Incident, Spokesman Says
Sputnik Africa
In December 2022, the Russian ship Lady R docked in the South African Simon's Town naval base, triggering US charges six months later against Pretoria for... 27.09.2023, Sputnik Africa
2023-09-27T18:50+0200
2023-09-27T18:50+0200
2023-09-27T18:50+0200
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South African President Cyril Ramaphosa acted within the law when he appointed an independent panel to investigate the docking of a Russian vessel in Simon’s Town in the Western Cape last year, the presidential spokesman Vincent Magwenya said.He was commenting on a lawsuit filed by the country's leading opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), which asks the court to declare unconstitutional the appointment of one of the three commissioners.He also said the DA’s application was politically motivated.The spokesperson added that the opposition party "is failing to appreciate the damage this issue has caused to our economy and potentially to very important diplomatic relations."In May, the US ambassador to South Africa Reuben Brigety said that the Lady R vessel allegedly took on board at the base in Simons Town weapons and ammunition for further delivery to Russia. Ramaphosa on May 28 appointed a three-member independent panel of experts to investigate the Lady R situation.In early September, Ramaphosa said the panel has not found any proof that armaments were loaded aboard the vessel, and the ship was delivering equipment to the South African National Defense Force.From the very outset, South Africa has denied its involvement in arms deliveries to Russia. On May 11, in response to Brigety's accusations, the South African Foreign Ministry sent an official protest to the diplomatic body. Following the protest, the ambassador admitted that he had crossed the line and apologized.
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President Ramaphosa Acted Within the Law in Lady R Incident, Spokesman Says
In December 2022, the Russian ship Lady R docked in the South African Simon's Town naval base, triggering US charges six months later against Pretoria for allegedly supplying weapons to Russia. South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa in May appointed an independent commission to investigate the incident.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa acted within the law when he appointed an
independent panel to investigate the docking of a Russian vessel in Simon’s Town in the Western Cape last year, the presidential spokesman Vincent Magwenya said.
He was commenting on a lawsuit filed by the country's leading opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), which asks the court to declare unconstitutional the appointment of one of the three commissioners.
"Ramaphosa acted within the law in doing so and we are quite confident this appointment will withstand scrutiny‚" said Magwenya.
He also said the DA’s application was politically motivated.
"In its politically motivated court action‚ the DA wants to undermine the country’s national interest‚ failing to appreciate the importance of resolving this matter in a manner that is credible and expeditious," Magwenya stressed.
The spokesperson added that the opposition party "is failing to appreciate the damage this issue has caused to our economy and potentially to very important diplomatic relations."
The DA applied to the Pretoria High Court over the dispute, saying Ramaphosa's appointment of retired judge Phineas Mojapelo to investigate Lady R was unconstitutional.
In May, the
US ambassador to South Africa Reuben Brigety said that the Lady R vessel allegedly took on board at the base in Simons Town weapons and ammunition for further delivery to Russia. Ramaphosa on May 28 appointed a three-member independent panel of experts to investigate the Lady R situation.
In early September, Ramaphosa said the panel has not found any proof that armaments were loaded aboard the vessel, and the ship was delivering equipment to the South African National Defense Force.
From the very outset, South Africa has denied its involvement in arms deliveries to Russia. On May 11, in response to Brigety's accusations, the South African Foreign Ministry sent an official protest to the diplomatic body. Following the protest, the ambassador
admitted that he had crossed the line and apologized.
