Lady R report classified for safety of security forces, Ramaphosa tells MPs
President Cyril Ramaphosa says the contents of the Russian ship, the Lady R, need to remain secret so as not to compromise the safety of the country's security forces.
Ramaphosa answered questions in the National Council of Provinces on Thursday.
The president’s remarks come amid calls from some quarters for the complete investigative report into the docking of the ship to be made public.
Earlier this year, US Ambassador to South Africa Reuben Brigety accused South Africa of providing arms to Russia via the Lady R vessel that docked in Simonstown in December 2022.
The ambassador's explosive claims were met with widespread anger and surprise from the government, prompting President Ramaphosa to establish an inquiry chaired by retired senior Judge Phineas Mojapelo to probe the claims.
The report revealed that the ship docked at Simonstown to deliver equipment ordered by procurement company Armscor for the South African National Defence Force.
"The contents of the shipment carried on the Lady R are kept secret so as not to compromise the work or the safety of our security forces,” Ramaphosa said.
“I have no intention to compromise this under any circumstances."
"I believe the findings of the panela were completely rational, as one went through the report. I could not find any irrationality. The panel made no findings of involvement by clandestine parties or illegal transactions, and no evidence has been presented to contradict the panel findings."
ALSO READ:
