This was minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni's
response to US government allegations that a Russian ship, Lady R, was loaded
with weapons while docked at Simon's Town naval base.
In an interview with the SABC on Friday, the minister said:
“The ambassador has not followed diplomatic channels in terms of dealing with
issues in South Africa and this is not the first time this has happened.”
Ntshavheni slammed US ambassador to South Africa Reuben
Brigety's “megaphone diplomacy” approach of addressing the media in Pretoria on
Thursday when he said Washington had established the vessel was loaded with
weapons while docked at the naval base.
“It doesn’t work. If the US has concerns about anything in
South Africa, they are allowed to raise them — but the channel they need to
contact is Dirco [the department of international relations and co-operation]
to say these are the issues they have problems with, because we have a
relationship with the US.”
US ambassador to South Africa Reuben Brigety has apologised
“unreservedly” after he admitted to “crossing the line” at a briefing he held
on Thursday.
This is according to the department of international
relations and co-operation (Dirco) which in a diplomatic démarche on Friday
expressed the government's “utter displeasure” with Brigety's “conduct and
statements”.
Brigety caused a furore on Thursday when he told reporters
a Russian ship that had docked at Simon's Town naval base had left South Africa
loaded with weapons.
He also said Washington had established the vessel was
loaded with weapons while docked at the naval base in December.
There was controversy when the vessel docked, with Pretoria
silent on its activities while in South African waters.
Brigety's comments sparked a local outcry, with questions
being raised about the manner he chose to raise these concerns. Times
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