Presidency Calls DA's Court Challenge Over Lady R Investigative Panel 'Politically Motivated'

The presidency criticized the opposition party, Democratic Alliance, over their intention to challenge President Cyril Ramaphosa's appointed investigative panel for the Lady R vessel in the court, adding that it is a "politically motivated" move.

Vincent Magwenya, who serves as a spokesperson to the President, addressed the media on Wednesday revealing the Democratic Alliance's intention and explaining that the independent panel was appointed after considering the much-needed "delicate balance" between the public's right to information and the state's need to secure information.

He pointed out that disclosure of such information might jeopardize South Africa's national security and/or international relations.

"Hence, the President decided to appoint an independent panel rather than a commission of inquiry, as provided for in terms of section 84(2)(f) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996," he added, SA News reported.

President Ramaphosa appointed a panel of three members to investigate the docking of the Russian vessel named Lady R in Simonstown, Western Cape.

The panel of three members includes Judge Phineas Mojapelo, Advocate Leah Gcabashe SC, and former Deputy Minister of Basic Education of the Government of South Africa, Enver Surty.

Magwenya assured that the appointed judges were carefully picked by the President, adding that Ramaphosa "acted within the law in doing so and we are confident that this appointment will withstand scrutiny."

He continued, "In its politically motivated court action, the DA wants to undermine the country's national interests, failing to appreciate the importance of resolving this matter in a manner that is credible and expeditious."

The spokesperson noted that the opposition party is failing to understand the damage this issue can cause to South Africa's economy and important diplomatic relations.

He further shared that these important diplomatic relations are "now repaired as a result of the level of credibility attached to the panel and its work, the outcome of the investigation, and the intensive amount of diplomatic work that has been conducted to date and is still being managed."

The decision to appoint the panel came after the U.S. claimed that South Africa supplied weapons to Russia in order to support the country against Ukraine. However, South Africa denied the claim and since the conflict began, the country took a neutral stance.

After the U.S. allegation over the weapons on the country, its currency value of the rand decreased.

Following the investigation, which started in May, President Ramaphosa revealed that "no evidence" was found that would prove South Africa supplied weapons to Russia.