President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa has reportedly appointed a judge to oversee an inquiry into allegations that individuals supplied Russia with weapons near a naval base in Simonstown late last year.
Former Gauteng Deputy Judge President Phineas Mojapelo will oversee a panel of three people, including Advocate Leah Gcabashe and Enver Surty. The trio will have six weeks to complete the investigation and deliver a report to the president within two weeks of its conclusion.
“The President decided to establish the enquiry because of the seriousness of the allegations, the extent of public interest and the impact of this matter on South Africa’s international relations,” a representative for Ramaphosa stated.
Ramaphosa’s recent decision stems from testimony provided by Reuben Brigety, U.S. ambassador to South Africa, on May 11. Brigety claims that a Russian ship docked at a naval base in Simonstown in the Western Cape in December and took aboard weapons.
As expected, Brigety’s claims have sparked division between the U.S., Russia and South Africa. The U.S. has offered financial and military support for Ukraine as Russian forces continue to push into the European nation. Meanwhile, South Africa says that it will remain impartial on the matter and opts not to vote on U.N. resolutions regarding the war.
