South African Report Into Alleged Russian Arms Deal Due in Eight Weeks
The Lady R, docked at the Simon's Town near Cape Town, South Africa.
Source: AP Photo
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South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has set up a three-member independent panel to investigate whether arms were picked up by a Russian vessel when it docked south of Cape Town in December.
The move follows allegations by the US ambassador to South Africa this month that weapons were loaded onto the Russian ship, the Lady R, at Simon’s Town port. Reuben Brigety’s claims sent the rand tumbling more than 5% in four days, and the ensuing diplomatic row threatens to undermine South Africa’s trade agreements with the US.