President Ramaphosa addressed the National Council of Provinces on Thursday, shedding light on the classified Lady R report. This report has been a subject of controversy, with calls for its public release.
The report pertains to the docking of the Lady R vessel in Simonstown in December 2022, and the allegations of arms provision to Russia.
Earlier this year, US Ambassador to South Africa, Reuben Brigety, accused South Africa of supplying arms to Russia through the Lady R vessel.
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This accusation sparked anger and surprise from the government, leading President Ramaphosa to initiate an inquiry into the matter. Retired senior Judge Phineas Mojapelo was appointed to chair the inquiry.
The investigative report, compiled by the panel chaired by Judge Mojapelo, revealed crucial information about the docking of the Lady R vessel.
According to the report, the ship docked at Simonstown to deliver equipment that had been ordered by the procurement company Armscor for the South African National Defence Force.
President Ramaphosa emphasized the need to keep the contents of the shipment classified in order to safeguard the work and safety of the security forces.
He stated, “The contents of the shipment carried on the Lady R are kept secret so as not to compromise the work or the safety of our security forces. I have no intention to compromise this under any circumstances.”
President Ramaphosa expressed his confidence in the rationality of the panel’s findings. He stated, “I believe the findings of the panel were completely rational, as one went through the report.
I could not find any irrationality. The panel made no findings of involvement by clandestine parties or illegal transactions, and no evidence has been presented to contradict the panel findings.”
