BuaNews (Tshwane)
Bathandwa Mbola
17 April 2008
Pretoria — South Africa is not in the position to interfere with a shipment of weapons reportedly from China en-route to Zimbabwe which is currently docked at the Port of Durban, says Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister, Aziz Pahad.
"We are not able to determine as Foreign Affairs as to what goods are shipped from one country to another," he said, adding that clarity should be asked from relevant stakeholders.
"It is a matter that needs to be taken up by relevant stakeholders like the South African Revenue Service, National Ports Authority, International Ship and Ports Security," he told reporters at the Union Buildings on Thursday.
Mr Pahad further said South Africa was not aware of the nature of export and import relations between Zimbabwe and China.
According to media reports the Chinese ship, An Yue Jiang, was carrying three million rounds of ammunition for AK-47 assault rifles and small arms, 3500 mortars and mortar tubes as well as 1500 rocket propelled grenades.
The ship which is currently docked at the Durban harbour is reported to have entered the port without clearance and is currently docked at the outer anchorage.
Besides the transport permit issued by the National Conventional Arms Control Committee (NCACC), a clearance permit from the explosives department of the police is still needed before the shipment can be released.
The arms shipment has sparked a political outcry with parties calling on the government to block the consignment allegedly bound for Zimbabwe's army.
Earlier, Government Spokesperson Themba Maseko echoed the same sentiments as Deputy Minister Pahad.
"We are not in a position to act unilaterally and interfere in a trade deal between two countries," he told reporters during a post Cabinet briefing.
All South African authorities could do was to make sure that all proper administrative processes were followed, he said, adding that South Africa is not at all involved in the arrangement as it was a matter between the two countries.
It would be possible, but very difficult for South Africa to start intervening and saying that we will not allow the shipment through, Mr Maseko said.
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Greg your atitude and your lot are despecable. You pretend as if the world does not know how you Australians (ultimate red necks) have treated the aborigins. Your country only works for anglo whites (former criminals) the rest face extreme racism. Africans, especially Zimbabweans have a right to whom they will lend their ears. The former colonialist (most Britons) are self-righteous and today in Africa no body listerns to you. Maybe better listern to a chinese or Indian, than an anglo who promises the world to you and delivers none! Your lot is full of self praise.
South African Politicians seem to beggar belief, in one week I have read that there is no crisis in Zimbabwe, Police should only use one shot to kill criminals, and now add Gun Runners to that. It is one thing for Mugabe to request arms from China and use them to kill his own citizens, you would expect this from both of them. But for South Africa to sit on its hands and watch their neighbours completly go down the plughole is totally unforgiveable.Then start gun running as well, You should be truly ashamed as a country and a government,… [Read Full Text]