Ramaphosa Dodges Questions About Supporting Russia With Weapons

Local reporter Erin Bates tweets that during a parliamentary Q&A session Opposition Leader John Steenhuisen asked President Cyril Ramaphosa to clarify if weapons were loaded to a Russian ship docking in Simonstown in December. The President responded that the "whole matter is being looked into, and whilst that process continues I would like you to allow that process. The matter is being looked into, and in time we'll talk about it. This matter is best left where it is."

• Ramaphosa's response came after Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqukula interjected noting that the President can choose whether he wants to respond. Separately, Ramaphosa's spokesperson tweeted that the Presidency will "respond [to the accusations] in due course."
• National Security Advisor Sydney Mufamadi recently led a delegation to the U.S. seeking to defuse tensions caused by South Africa's stance on the Russo-Ukrainian war. News24 reporter Phillip de Wet notes that the delegation found that many lawmakers were off for Congress recess and refused to speak with staffers.