Ernest MabuzaThe SA naval dockyard in Simon's Town, where a Russian vessel took on arms and ammunition, according to the US government. File photo.President Cyril Ramaphosa and the government must take immediate and effective action to ensure that allegations made by the US relating to South Africa supplying arms to Russia are thoroughly investigated.
This is the call made by Vinpro — which represents close to 2,600 South African wine producers, cellars and industry stakeholders — and Wines of South Africa , an organisation responsible for export promotions of South African wine. Reuben Brigety on Thursday was a dramatic fall of the rand against the dollar, indicating how seriously the international markets considered these claims. imon's Town naval base in December left South Africa loaded with weapons.
Vinpro and WoSA believed the government's response was unsatisfactory and brought intense uncertainty that will put the country's economy — already reeling under load-shedding which is expected to shrink GDP by as much as 2% — under even more pressure.
“Vinpro and WoSA urgently call on President Ramaphosa and the government to take immediate and effective action to ensure that these allegations do not build any further momentum and are thoroughly investigated and completed, thereby protecting South Africa and the wine industry, and our collective economic interests, at all cost.”READ MORE