A commission of inquiry has found no evidence that weapons or ammunition were loaded onto a Russian ship in South Africa in December, President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Sunday.

None of the accusations that had been made proved to be true and those who made them cannot substantiate them, added the head of state in his address to the citizens.

“No weapons export license was given and no weapons were exported,” he insisted.

He was referring to statements made earlier this year by the US ambassador to the country, Ruben Brighetti – causing diplomatic tension – in which South Africa was supplying arms and ammunition to Russia for use in the war in Ukraine.

Mr Brighetti said in May that munitions were loaded onto a sanctioned Russian cargo ship, the Lady R, when it docked at a naval base near Cape Town in December 2022.

The US diplomat questioned the neutrality of South Africa, which belongs to the non-aligned movement, in the armed conflict, which is the official position of President Ramaphosa’s government.

After persistent demands from the opposition, Mr Ramaphosa ordered a commission to be set up and an independent inquiry carried out.

In his speech yesterday, the head of state announced that a summary of the findings would soon be made public, but not the full report of the commission of inquiry, as it contained “confidential military information”.

Cyril Ramaphosa also emphasized that the US ambassador’s accusations damaged South Africa’s economy and its international image.