The EFF wants an urgent debate in Parliament over the alleged failure by the National Conventional Arms Control Committee (NCACC) to prevent South African manufactured weapons from being transferred to Israel.
The Red Berets moved the motion earlier this week that the National Assembly debate, as a matter of urgency, the NCACC’s failure to uphold domestic and international arms control obligations.
MP Carl Niehaus said the National Assembly should note the NCACC’s non-implementation of the end-user certificates for arms and ammunition produced by South African companies such as Rheinmetall Denel Munitions (RDM).
“We condemn the export of South African arms to apartheid Israel – a state charged by South Africa with genocide at the International Court of Justice. We reject this complicity as a hypocritical betrayal of our heroic Struggle against apartheid and our human rights commitments,” Niehaus.
The call for the debate comes on the heels of a detailed letter from Niehaus to the Joint Standing Committee on Defence, in which he presented allegations regarding South Africa’s non-compliance with international arms control commitments.
He had also sent two sets of questions to Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni on the matter.
In her written response, Ntshavheni said there were no official registers and records indicating any transfer of controlled items to Israel and Ukraine.
She said the end-user certificate applied universally to all the countries intending to trade in conventional arms with South Africa.
“To date, the NCACC has not initiated a request for on-site verification. United Nations, through its disarmament structures, thus far did not raise any concern regarding possible diversion or malicious use of controlled items (conventional arms) transferred by South Africa.”
She was responding to Niehaus when he asked if countries in Europe and the Middle East, where South African-manufactured weapons are exported, have refused any inspections by the NCACC to monitor whether the end-user certificates are complied with.
Ntshavheni said should the need arise, upon reaching consensus with any country suspected of any gross arms violations, inspectors will be deployed accordingly.
“Such deployment may not be considered in countries where there is active international conflict(s).”
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Angie Motshekga did not respond when asked by DA MP Chris Hattingh whether she had consulted Ntshavheni regarding the allegation that RDM increased production of NATO-standard 155 mm ammunition primarily for use by Israel and Ukraine.
Instead, Motshekga said RDM operated strictly in accordance with national legislative requirements, and that South Africa adhered to a number of international treaties, agreements, and arrangements that have an impact on non-proliferation, disarmament, and arms control.
“There are various international treaties, agreements, and arrangements that have formed part of national legislation that RDM needs to adhere to,” Motshekga said.
Hattingh enquired whether the allegation that RDM ammunitions were being used by Israel and Ukraine could have negative diplomatic consequences for South Africa.
Motshekga explained that RDM could only supply its products after receipt of the required national South African governmental approval from the NCACC and the required export permits from the Directorate of Conventional Arms Control (DCAC).
“In the supply agreements entered into between RDM and its clients, they are required to issue end-user certificates as required in terms of the NCACC Act. Therefore, RDM is not able to deliver products to clients until the receipt of an end-user certificate and an export permit from the DCAC has been issued,” she said.
“Furthermore, the third party attending to the shipment and delivery can only deliver the products to such address listed in the export licence, and all other legislative requirements are met.”
Motshekga insisted that RDM as an ammunition manufacturer was required to adhere to the national legislative requirements.
“No contracts can be executed without approval from the applicable regulatory entity as outlined.”
In another development, Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie said he and his department were guided by the government’s directives on all matters of international relations.
“As such, any minister would act accordingly once the government has made a directive or pronouncement on the matter,” McKenzie said.
He was asked whether he would heed the call for a sports boycott in support of the Palestinian struggle against occupation and genocide perpetrated by Israel.
McKenzie said he was not in a position to confidently indicate whether the role of sport that led to the liberation of South Africa can similarly be used in the case of Palestine.
