The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party) has called out the Government of National Unity (GNU) for denying Russian sailors access after a Russian ship docked at in Cape Town.
It is alleged that over 300 sailors are confined and denied access to disembark from a Russian Navy Baltic Fleet training vessel, The Smolny.
The ship docked in Cape Town on August 5, to restock, replenish, and resupply.
According to the MK Party, the ship is carrying cadets on a training mission to sharpen their skills in maritime, communications, and navigation skills, and has made a short visit to South Africa; an act that indicates the Russian government views South Africa as a mutual ally and a partner in friendly trade relations.
MK Party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela said denying access to the port of entry in Cape Town can only strain diplomatic relations between South Africa and Russia.
“The MK Party distances itself from the so-called GNU’s decision to refuse the Russian sailors port of entry into the City of Cape Town and reaffirms that we cannot support a government that seeks to undermine long-term bilateral ties and trading relations with the Russian state,” Ndhlela said.
The party said South Africa remains neutral on issues pertaining to international affairs.
“As the official opposition, we extend a firm warning to the so-called GNU not to undermine international relations between Russia and South Africa. The MK Party remains pro-Russian state and we will never tire in defending the right to self-determination and a multi-polar global world order. Our stance and position as MK Party is that of assuming an ally position to the Russian state. Russia has been a loyal, honest partner to South Africa for over 60 years. Russia has never sold out on the support and aid to the South African liberation movement,” Ndhlela said.
Russia is a key strategic partner to South Africa and a member of the BRICS.
The party said the two countries share longstanding historical ties dating back to the 1960s, during the apartheid era, when Russia stood as a firm ally and supporter of Umkhonto weSizwe, the armed wing of the former liberation movement.
The MK Party called on the GNU to grant the Russian sailors access.
“This is an unnecessary international stand-off which SA cannot afford wage as a battle. We demand that Mr [Cyril] Ramaphosa urgently intervene in this matter. His continuous absence from leadership at critical moments has undermined the South African government, weakened the economy, and, with this Russian ship incident, threatens to strain South Africa’s relations with Russia,” Ndhlela said.
reached out to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) but received no response by the time of publication.
This story will be updated as soon as a response is received.
