Mbatha in Moscow: SA delegation to discuss ‘military cooperation’ 

Lieutenant General Lawrence Mbatha is heading a delegation that discussed “issues relating to military cooperation and interaction” with their Russian counterparts, according to news agencies on Monday 15 May.

This follows mere days after Washington accused Pretoria of secretly providing arms to Russia.

Mbatha heads SA military delegation to Moscow despite #LadyRussiagate

Last Thursday, the US ambassador to Pretoria Reuben Brigety said that the United States (US) believed weapons and ammunition had been laden onto Lady R, a Russian freighter that docked at the Cape Town naval base in Simon’s Town in December.

President Cyril Ramaphosa said the matter was “being looked into” and “in time we will be able to speak about it”.

The US welcomed the promises to probe the allegations. 

ALSO READ: US claims of SA-Russia arms exchange rattles rand

SA refuses to condemn Ukraine/Russia conflict

South Africa has refused to condemn the conflict in Ukraine, which has largely isolated Moscow on the international stage.

The country says it wants to stay neutral.

Evidence of tilt towards the Kremlin?

But critics cite a number of recent incidents as evidence of a tilt towards the Kremlin.

On Friday, following the scandal, Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke on the phone with Ramaphosa.

Both leaders agreed to “intensify mutually beneficial ties”, according to the Kremlin. 

Ramaphosa on Monday said the country would not be drawn “into a contest between global powers” over Ukraine despite having faced “extraordinary pressure” to pick sides.

We do not accept that our non-aligned position favours Russia above other countries. Nor do we accept that it should imperil our relations with other countries.

Ramaphosa said in a weekly presidential newsletter

Pretoria supported a peaceful resolution to the conflict, he said.

ALSO READ: Government ‘leading SA to economic suicide’ by siding with Russia

Mbatha on the move in Moscow

On Monday, Mbatha “visited educational institution of the ground forces and enterprises of the military-industrial complex” of Russia, agencies said.

Agreements were reached to further increase cooperation between ground forces in various fields. 

Russian agency Interfax

A spokesman for South Africa defence ministry referred questions about Mbatha’s trip to Moscow to the military.  

The South African Defence Force (SANDF) did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

By © Agence France-Presse