The US ambassador to South Africa, Reuben Brigety, admitted that he crossed the line and apologized after an official protest from the South African Foreign Ministry, the body said in a statement.
"After today’s meeting, Ambassador Reuben E Brigety admitted that he crossed the line and apologized unreservedly to the Government and the people of South Africa," South Africa's Department of International Relations & Cooperation (DIRCO) stated.
Brigety earlier claimed the United States was confident that the Russian ship Lady R was allegedly "loaded with weapons and ammunition" while being docked in Cape Town, after which the ship returned back to Russia.
The South African presidency then expressed dissatisfaction with Brigety, saying that his claims undermined "the spirit of cooperation and partnership" between the two countries.
DIRCO also noted that South Africa is known for strict procedures that accompany the sale of weapons to other states. The ministry welcomed the decision of South Africa's president, Cyril Ramaphosa, to launch an independent investigation into the alleged supply of Russian weapons to the country.
Subsequently, the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with his South African counterpart Naledi Pandor, as earlier announced by the South African Foreign Ministry in the same statement that notified the public about plans to summon the ambassador.
"Secretary of State Antony J Blinken spoke with South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor today," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement on Friday. "Secretary Blinken emphasized the importance of the US-South Africa strategic partnership and reiterated cooperation on shared priorities, including health, trade, and energy."