PRETORIA – Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has demanded that Reuben Brigety, the US ambassador to South Africa, be recalled as a result of diplomatic tensions between the two nations.
Last week, Brigety alleged that South Africa had sold arms and ammunition to Russia, which has invaded Ukraine.
His comments sparked an outcry in Pretoria, with the government vehemently denying the allegations.
After a meeting with International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) said that Brigety had apologised for his comments.
However, Malema dismissed the apology, saying it was not enough.
“A man who speaks like that in the name of diplomacy, you immediately withdraw his credentials,” he said.
Malema reaction to arms shipment to Russia
Malema further criticised Brigety, saying that he violated diplomatic protocols with his comments.
He also questioned the ambassador’s claims that South Africa had sold arms to Russia, saying that he did not believe the country had the capacity to do so.
“I don’t think these ones have the capacity, shem, unless you are talking about knobkerries and spears… I don’t know what it is that Russia doesn’t have that it came here to look for,” said Malema.
Malema’s call for the recall of Brigety has been met with support from his party.
EFF spokesperson Vuyani Pambo said that the ambassador’s apology was vague and that he must be held accountable for his comments.
“We cannot have a situation where an ambassador comes to our country and accuses us of selling arms to Russia without any proof. We demand that the US government takes action against Brigety,” said Pambo.
The US government has not yet responded to Malema’s call for Brigety to be recalled.
