Busi Mavuso, the CEO of BLSA has warned of sustained knock-on effects of the Russia arms saga.
Business Leadership South Africa says poor relations with the US could be the final straw that breaks the back of South Africa’s fragile economy as it already faces widespread crime and load shedding.
The government, guided by the views of the ANC, has repeatedly stated that it wishes to remain a ‘neutral party’ regarding the war and has even put its name forward to act as a mediator for a peaceful resolution. Despite this, the country’s ties with Russia are everpresent, and the international community has taken note.
US relations weakened last week following the US ambassador Reuben Brigety raising the alarm over the possible supply of arms to Russia by South Africa when a sanctioned Russian cargo vessel, the Lady R, was docked in Simon’s Town. The US said that the shipment does not suggest the actions of a non-aligned country.
“It is obvious how it might be – South Africa is the largest beneficiary of the US’s Africa Growth and Opportunity Act , exporting $15 billion of goods and services in terms of that act. One of the conditions for a country to qualify under AGOA is that it is not a threat to American national security interests.”
“This means that if arms were loaded that day in Simon’s Town, it was done illegally. The relevant legislation allows for a fine and imprisonment for up to 25 years for exporting arms without a permit,” Mavuso said.
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