Annisa Essack | kzn@radioislam.org.za
16 May 2023 | 10:00 CAT
3 min read

Photo Credit: WORDCRAFTBYANNISA

Dr Emmanuel Matambo, Senior Researcher at the University of Johannesburg Centre for Africa-China Studies, joined the Sabahul Muslim team to discuss the US Ambassadors’ allegations against South Africa regarding supplying arms to Russia to support Russia in the war against Ukraine.

According to Dr Matambo, the diplomatic crisis was sparked after the Lady R, a sanction-hit Russian cargo ship, made a mysterious stop in December at a Cape Town naval base, where the US claims South Africa loaded weapons and ammunition onto the vessel. Minister Thandi Modise’s silence on the matter fuelled the burning fire.

Matambo explained that the ANC, as a banned organisation since the advent of democracy nearly 30 years ago, had pursued an “independent foreign policy”, and providing arms to Russia would be a serious breach of South Africa’s alignment.

Responding to what risk the tension between the US and South Africa posed to the South African economy, Matambo mentioned that it would impact the country’s financial flows, the AGOA or African Growth and Opportunity Act and that South Africa was well aware that there was more to be gained from a good relationship with the US but also with the African Union that supported Ukraine in the current war.

However, he warned that only if it was proven beyond a reasonable doubt that South Africa did provide weapons to Russia would the implications become a reality.

Listen to the full interview with Sulaimaan Ravat on Sabahul Muslim here