Africa-Press – South-Africa. US ambassador Reuben Brigety ll “launched an attack” on the country by circumventing diplomatic processes when he levelled allegations against the South African government this week, President Cyril Ramaphosa told ANC eThekwini members.
Ramaphosa had been responding to suggestions and questions from the party’s rank and file at the Playhouse Theatre in Durban.
During a closed session, Ramaphosa was asked about the fallout around the alleged SA-Russian arms sale, infrastructure issues, disastrous floods, and a surge in serious crimes like murders, among other issues faced by eThekwini residents.
Brigety set the proverbial cat among the pigeons this week when he told journalists that he was confident South Africa had sold ammunition to Russia for use in the East European country’s armed conflict with its neighbour Ukraine.
An ANC member asked Ramaphosa to respond to Brigety’s comments.
After the party allowed journalists entry, Ramaphosa said the special envoy he sent to the US to “explain” the situation to the US asked its counterparts for evidence of the sale so they could use the information in an inquiry to be headed by a judge.
Ramaphosa’s statement suggested that the the South African government had already planned an inquiry before Brigety made his announcement.
He said the special envoy to the US, led by Dr Sydney Mufamadi, told their US counterparts that a retired judge would look into “the serious matter”.
“That was discussed. They had very cordial discussions,” Ramaphosa said, adding that Brigety was present in those meetings, where officials came to an agreement on steps to address the issue.
Ramaphosa said:
“But in any event, Department of International Relations and Cooperation Minister Naledi Pandor had a meeting with him [on Friday, 12 April 2023] to express South Africa’s disappointment in him, and he then apologised,” Ramaphosa said.
“He said ‘I apologise’ in the meeting… for the stance he took.”
Ramaphosa didn’t say what exactly Brigety apologised for and Brigety’s tweet contained no apology, although the SA government’s line is that he apologised in the meeting with Pandor.
“I was grateful for the opportunity to speak with Foreign Minister Pandor this evening and correct any misimpressions left by my public remarks. In our conversation, I re-affirmed the strong partnership between our two countries and the important agenda our presidents have given us (sic),” Brigety tweeted.
Ramaphosa confirmed a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which he said “was not because of this… and completely unrelated”, in reference to the fallout over Brigety’s statement.
The ANC branches in the audience cheered rapturously when Ramaphosa spoke of the call with Putin.
“We speak from time to time. And in my discussions with him, we were talking about the African Union-Russia summit.
“He said Africa had been suffering from the Ukraine-Russia conflict and, as a result, is trying to resolve the conflict.
In an impromptu press briefing, Ramaphosa reiterated his “disappointment” in Brigety.
He said discussions about Putin’s physical presence in the Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (Brics) summit in August were still ongoing.
He said Putin “is open to chatting”. Ramaphosa also said the AU would now speak to Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Earlier, Ramaphosa told the ANC branches that the US was a partner that South Africa “can’t ignore”.
Ramaphosa said he had also clarified to US President Joe Biden in their meeting in Washington last year that South Africa was a partner to both the US and Russia.
He evoked the memory of the late President Nelson Mandela and said the statesman had taught the ANC to always talk to both sides.
ANC in KZN
During the press briefing, Ramaphosa also said the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal wouldn’t be disbanded.
Earlier, the eThekwini region had submitted a report on the state of branches, the city’s governance quagmire, and crime, among other things.
Ramaphosa said the eThekwini needs 1 000 metro cops and “bobby on the beat” police visibility, following the examples set by New York and London cities.
“You need to add more police [for visibility] in order to fight crime,” Ramaphosa told the city leadership and the branches. “I want to see more.”
Touching on governance in eThekwini, Ramaphosa said the party needed to deploy qualified professionals.
He said the ANC needs to deploy competent people who can do the work and zeroed in on reports that eThekwini officials lack qualifications
The axe hovers around the metro’s HR manager Kim Makhathini, who allegedly used a bogus academic qualification in applying for the position she occupies.
Ramaphosa said the ANC shouldn’t deploy “fools” if its voters are to enjoy service delivery.
For More News And Analysis About South-Africa Follow Africa-Press
